Our History

Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics

At the beginning of the 1950s, Brazil woke up to the strategic importance of scientific research for national development and sovereignty. The creation of the main federal agencies, CNPq and CAPES, in 1951, launched the construction of a national science and technology system, at the same time as the country decisively accelerated its industrialization process. The following year, the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics was founded within CNPq, on the initiative of a group of prominent mathematicians linked to the recently created Brazilian Center for Physics Research.

The new institute was born with a clear mission, the relevance and timeliness of which remain unchanged: to carry out cutting-edge research in mathematics, train new researchers and teachers, disseminate mathematical knowledge in society and integrate it into science and the productive sector. This exhibition outlines IMPA’s journey to achieve this mission, reinterpreting and expanding its objectives along the way in order to grow along with the nation. In this way, the Institute’s work has acquired a breadth and complexity unusual among mathematics centers around the world.

Timeline

CREATION OF IMPA

1952

Foundation

FIRST YEARS

1955

Publication of books and acquisition of first volumes of international journals

1957

Headquarters moved to 265 São Clemente Street in Botafogo

CONSOLIDATION

1957

Brazilian Mathematics Colloquium

1957

Start of the master's and doctoral programs in Mathematics, in agreement with the University of Brazil (now UFRJ)

1967

Relocation of headquarters to the center of Rio, at Rua Luiz de Camões 68

1968

Creation of the Summer Program

IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS

1969

Brazilian Mathematical Society

1971

International Symposium on Dynamical Systems

1979

First regular book collections

LÉLIO GAMA BUILDING

1981

On July 28, the Institute's first headquarters were inaugurated, located at Estrada Dona Castorina 110, in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood

LABORATORIES

1987

FLUID
Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

1989

VISGRAF
Computer Graphics Laboratory

INITIATIVES

1990

PAPMEM

GROWING ROLE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

1991 - 1998

Headquarters of the International Mathematical Union

1995

Latin American and Caribbean Mathematical Union

2000

Latin American Congress of Mathematicians

SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

2001

IMPA was transformed into a Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology, giving it more autonomy and agility in the execution of its projects.