Vote for your favorite entries!
The entry that receives the most votes in each category will be designated
the People's Choice winner.
the People's Choice winner.
The National Science Foundation invites entries, in the form of short videos (up to 3 minutes), showcasing all levels of NSF-supported work in the mathematical sciences in a way that is accessible and exciting to a broad audience. Entries will also include a brief, non-technical description of the project that is showcased in the video.
The NSF We Are Mathematics Video Competition aims to showcase NSF-supported work in the mathematical sciences in a way that is accessible and exciting for an audience that may not otherwise consider pursuing advanced studies or careers in mathematics or may not understand what it means to do research in the mathematical sciences. It aims to bring mathematics to life in a way that can break down barriers for those who find the idea of advanced studies or research in the mathematical sciences to be daunting, and to excite young viewers in a way that can increase their interest in pursuing further studies or careers in the mathematical sciences.
Video entries can be submitted by anyone whose work in any area of the mathematical sciences has been or is currently being supported by NSF, including Principal Investigators (PIs), Co-PIs, Graduate Research Fellows, Postdoctoral Research Fellows, REU Site Coordinators, REU Site Students, Trainees (in an NSF-funded traineeship program), Scholars (in an NSF-funded scholarship program). Entries must be submitted by someone over the age of 18, and an NSF award number is required for submission. In the case of multi-year or multidimensional projects, more than one entry can be accepted for a particular award number.
Download and Print the Full Competition Information Here
For any questions about the competition, please contact we-are-mathematics@nsf.gov
Entries must adhere to the following requirements:
The competition will open on October 5, 2018 and remain open until the submission deadline. All entries must be submitted through the competition website.
Video entries must be uploaded to the competition website to one of the four submission levels (see below). In addition to the video, entries must include a title and a brief project description of no more than 2500 characters.
Entries can be submitted by an individual or by a team.
Entries must identify the NSF award number and program through which the project was funded.
Individuals: Register as a team leader and complete the registration information.
Teams: One team member registers as the team leader and then invites the other members to join. Teams can include up to 5 members (not including the PI) over the age of 18. Every team member must register by entering their information.
Anyone who registers as an individual or team member will automatically give NSF permission to use their name and likeness. This is clearly stated on the online registration page.
For entries submitted by someone other than the PI or Fellow associated with the award number, a PI Verification and Consent form must be uploaded and included with the entry.
All entries must be submitted at one of the following levels for judging:
Level 1: K-12 or Undergraduate: Project work in the mathematical sciences carried out by K-12 or undergraduate students and/or K-12 teachers or informal STEM educators. Videos may feature students under the age of 18 but must be submitted by an individual over the age of 18 or teams with all members over the age of 18.
Level 2: Graduate: Project work in the mathematical sciences carried out by graduate students at any level, prior to earning a doctoral degree.
Level 3: Postdoctoral or Early Career: Project work in the mathematical sciences carried out by a postdoctoral fellow or a faculty, institute, or industry researcher having completed their doctoral studies no earlier than May 2013.
Level 4: Mid or Advanced Career: Project work in the mathematical sciences carried out by a faculty, institute, or industry researcher having completed their doctoral studies prior to May 2013.
Contestants must complete and upload the following forms with their entry:
Contestants must complete and upload the following forms with their entry:
The contest will begin accepting entries on October 5, 2018. You can begin the submission process by registering at any time. Once you register, you will receive login details that will allow you to continue to access and complete your entry up until the submission deadline of February 28, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST.
Yes. You will continue to be able to access and edit your entry using the login details you receive at registration up until the submission deadline.
No. Entries can be submitted by someone other than the PI or Fellow associated with the award number. These entries must include a signed PI Verification and Consent Form.
Yes. There is no limit on the number of videos that can be submitted for an award number, as long as any entries submitted by someone other than the PI or Fellow associated with the award include a PI Verification and Consent Form.
Yes. You may contribute to multiple entries as a member of a team; however, you can only submit one entry as an individual or a team leader.
Yes. While some projects showcased in video submissions may involve participants under the age of 18, only individuals who are 18 or older can register and submit entries.
Yes. Videos can showcase work that is currently being supported or has previously been supported by NSF.
The submission level should be determined by the level of the work that received NSF-support. For example, an advanced researcher working with a K-12 teacher on a project in the K-12 classroom, should submit to Level 1: K-12 and Undergraduate. A mid-career researcher submitting work completed as part of a Graduate Research Fellowship, should submit to Level 2: Graduate.
Yes. The NSF logo must be included in the video. Official logo options can be accessed at https://www.nsf.gov/policies/logos.jsp. Videos must also include the standard NSF acknowledgement of support and disclaimer. Language can be accessed here: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappg18_1/pappg_11.jsp#XIE4.
No. While video entries must showcase NSF-supported work, no additional funds will be provided by NSF for the creation of videos for this competition.
You must upload your video to the competition platform. If possible, record in HD (i.e., 1280 x 720).
No. While you may choose to include credits identifying the video creator or any volunteers, these are not required. Any identifying information included in the video will be reviewed, and judges will be required to notify the competition organizers of any conflicts of interest.
Yes. The entire video cannot exceed 3 minutes.
Semifinalists and winners will be notified via email sent to the individual or team leader. Winners will be notified prior to a public announcement of the results to make necessary arrangements for travel to Washington, DC for the National Math Festival on May 4, 2019. The winning videos will be showcased in a special session at the National Math Festival and with other NSF activities throughout the day.
All team members are welcome to attend; however, funding will only be provided for travel expenses for one team member to attend the National Math Festival.
Prize money for winning teams will be sent to the team leader. It will be up to the team to determine how the prize money is distributed among members of the team.
Fame and glory! While there is no monetary prize for the People’s Choice Award winner, your video will be shared by NSF and promoted on a public website. It may also appear at a range of events, including those serving the general public, the academic community, government officials, and industry leaders.
The winning entry for each level will receive a cash prize of $3,000. These winners will be showcased at the 2019 National Math Festival in Washington, DC on May 4, 2019. Recipients will be notified in advance and invited to attend. Travel expenses will be covered for individual winners and one representative from any winning team.
Following the first round of judging, the entries from up to 16 semifinalists will be made publicly available for online voting for approximately 30 days.
The People's Choice Award winner will also be announced with the winners from each level on May 3, 2019. The People's Choice Award will not include a monetary prize but will include public recognition and promotion of the participants and their work on the NSF website and at other events and venues. The video will be showcased at the 2019 National Math Festival, but the winner will not be notified in advance, and therefore, no travel expenses will be covered for the winner to attend.
All winning videos and a selection of other top entries will be showcased at the 2019 National Math Festival, which is expected to draw a crowd of approximately 20,000 people.
Winning videos will appear on the NSF website and be promoted through social media.
A selection of video entries may also be used by the NSF Office of Legislative and Public Affairs of other NSF offices, divisions, or directorates for future educational or promotional activities.
Two rounds of formal judging will determine winners of the prize money, and a period of public voting will determine the winner of a People's Choice Award. The People’s Choice Award winner will not receive a monetary prize but will be showcased on the NSF website, through social media, and at public events.
All entries will first be screened for compliance with the rules. All compliant videos will be scored by a panel of judges, using on the following four criteria:
Judges will evaluate a collection of videos submitted to the same level. Based on the scoring, up to four semifinalists will be identified at each level.
