[cmath] The binning process, basic research and all that jazz

[Nassif Ghoussoub]

Dear colleagues,

You may have known, even experienced  the effect of NSERC's new  
binning system on discovery grants, and on your department. Many  
colleagues have already expressed their opinions about it and a  
national committee of mathematicians,  chaired by Walter Craig, is  
discussing ways to address current shortcomings in the system before  
approaching the NSERC leadership with suggestions. To those who have  
opinions about these issues, please send them to Walter asap, and  
please do not wait for the results of the current competition!

I am also trying to use "Piece of Mind"  http:// 
ghoussoub.wordpress.com/  to elaborate on the shortcomings of the  
"binning system" and have posted yesterday some recommendations that  
are worth discussing. Your input, albeit public or private, is welcome.

FYI, I have also posted today a memo to the Minister of Industry  and  
the Minister of Science &Technology, regarding the holy grail of basic  
research in mathematics and their potential impact on Innovation. You  
can find there a list of "epic" mathematical problems that you might  
enjoy (but not solve in the next 24 hours).

Please feel free to forward this information to your departments and  
other networks.

Nassif