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The goal of the original polymath project is to solve problems by forming an online collaboration between many mathematicians. This is done via a dedicated wiki site. This involves longstanding open problems and some of the world's leading mathematicians. 

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The Polymath Jr program is an undergraduate version of the polymath project. It focuses on more modest open problems, usually ones that do not require significant background. However, these problems are still of interest to the research community and the results should be published in a research journal.

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The research projects.​

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• In 2026, the program will run June 15 - August 9. 

• This is an online program. For work purposes, we rely on a dedicated wiki server, Discord severs, overleaf, Zoom, and more. 

• The first week is dedicated to learning about the various projects. Towards the end of that week, you rank the projects that you are interested in.

• The final weekend is an online conference where each group presents their work. Participants practice their presentation skills there, and later go to present their results at in-person math conferences.

• In addition to the main mentor, each project includes additional mentors. These are usually graduate students, but also postdocs and experienced undergraduates. 

• We encourage the participants to have as much interaction as possible. This includes regular work meetings, but also social meetings (for example, to play games).

• All project participants who were active throughout the program have their name on the paper (sometimes under the pen name Poly Mathews Jr., with the actual names as a footnote). This may seem unfair for students who made significant progress. However, these students can get a strong letter of recommendation from the main mentor. Such a letter is usually much more important when applying to graduate school or research-related jobs. 

• You choose your level of involvement. It is completely fine to participate in the program part-time. Many participants may not make research breakthroughs, and that's fine. You can contribute by helping with the website, by helping with the writing, by organizing social events, and more. You can also participate in a minor way, just to get a first impression of how research looks like. 

• Quotes from recent end-of-program surveys:​​

  • "My favorite part was reading the literature and collecting data that would support or contradict our conjectures."

  • "My favorite part were the people in the program."

  • "I really enjoyed the freedom I had to research what interested me the most within my project."

  • "My favorite part was thinking up crazy concepts and bringing it up in discussion and having people not dismiss you outright."

  • "This was my first research experience so it was also very nice to see how research is done and to contribute some results to it."

  • "While not being a big contributor to the group, I had fun learning what I could and challenging myself with the exercises."

  • "My favorite part was the presentation."

  • "My favorite part of the program was having other people who were excited about math available to talk about math with."​

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Applying to the program. 

• Acceptance is not automatic. However, the program is open to the majority of undergraduates having experience with writing mathematical proofs.

• There are no citizenship restrictions and the participants could be anywhere in the world. Online meetings are likely to follow US hours.

• Participation is free but no funding is provided for participants. We fund some participants who travel conferences to present their results.

• The participants must be undergraduate students. Students who start college next fall or graduate college this spring are eligible to apply, but may receive lower priority.

  • Students who are before their first college term are asked to explain in detail how they already have experience with writing mathematical proofs.

  • Students who just graduated college will receive higher priority if they do not have previous research experience (or have unusual circumstances).

• If you participate in an REU-style program during the summer of 2024, we highly recommend not to join this one. Being part of two programs will most likely get you to perform badly in both. If you insist, please provide a letter from the other program stating that they approve this.

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Application information. Applications for the summer of 2026 are now open. The deadline is April 1.

• Applications are submitted through mathprograms.org. (Check for programs under Williams College.) 

• In mathprograms, under "year" and "month", please make sure to state the expected date (or past date) when you graduate(d) your undergraduate degree. 

• State the institution of your undergraduate degree.

• Your application must make it clear that you have taken a mathematical proofs class. Other official programs that teach proof writing are also valid. (For example, a math circle.)

• The cover letter can be very short. It is fine if it only includes your proof writing background. If you want, you are welcome to include any additional information: special circumstances, why you want to participate in the program, your background, or anything else.

• A reference letter from at least one math professor is required.  ​​

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The Polymath Jr aims to provide opportunities to as many students as possible. Thus, we ONLY look to see if a professor can confirm that you have proof writing experience. Please make sure your letter writer addresses this. Do not include other information such as a personal statements, transcripts, and papers you wrote. Priority will be given to students who follow the directions and submit only what is asked.

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For more information, see this article, published in the Notices of the American Mathematical Society.

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For any additional questions or comments, please contact Adam Sheffer at adam.sheffer@baruch.cuny.edu. 

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The Polymath Jr logo was made by Luisa Estrada. An additional logo is by Huiwen Lu.

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