PARTICIPANTS

Applying for an event

If you wish to take part in an event at Cirm -  whether you have been contacted by organizers, or whether you wish to be considered as a potential participant -  the first step is to start your scientific pre-registration.

In order to do this, you need to go to the dedicated event's webpage (either use the  calendars of events or the search button on CIRM's main website) and click on the event in which you are interested.

The event's webpage gives you a detailed description of the week and has access to various buttons. The "Pre-register / Apply" button enables you to apply quickly by providing some basic details. As each person has to pre-register in this way, this generates a list of potential participants.

Organizers have access to this list of potential participants in their own intranet where they select names and may assign financial support for board and lodging.

Every single participant thus selected is automatically and formally contacted by Cirm by email and receives information on how to proceed to complete their registration, including booking their board and lodging at Cirm, or requesting a formal letter to apply for a visa.

Accommodation

Once your scientific pre-registration has been approved by the organizing team (see above), Cirm contacts you about booking your board and lodging with us. 

The description here tells you what to expect in terms of bedrooms or studio accommodation. You will also find a link to prices in case you have to pay for part or all of your stay, or if you decide to come with an accompanying person or family. Note that staying on a Friday night incurs additional costs. Please notify the Accommodation Officer beforehand.

Participants wishing to come with their family may sometimes have access to accommodation onsite (please contact the Accommodation/Family Officer if you are interested) or may have to find alternative accommodation (list).

A popular restaurant

Conference participants - as well as the local community of mathematicians - praise our restaurant. The food served here includes not only French but also Provençal specialties, including bouillabaisse for something truly local. Thursday evening is usually reserved for this special meal. We also cater for vegetarians. More information about the restaurant here.

Meal times:
Breakfast (self-service): 7:00-9:00
Lunch: served at 12.30
Dinner: served at 19.30
Lounge Bar: from 21:30

Videos

Cirm is host to significant events in mathematics and, as such, we feel that it is important to share this knowledge with the world in the form of filmed conferences. Therefore, Cirm has invested substancially in its own 'Audiovisual Mathematics Library', a sophisticated platform based on an archive of talks given by worldwide mathematicians during their stay with us. Our aim is to produce several videos each week to record selected moments of the events that take place. Check out our 1000 talks and interviews!

Note that only those events taking place in the lecture hall can currently benefit from this facility. 

Letters for visa requests

In case you need a letter to obtain a visa, please wait till you receive a message saying that you are selected to take part in the event. Forward this message to the International Coordinator at Cirm, giving your full name, as it appears on your passport or ID card, as well as your passport number and attaching a scanned copy of your passport page. Note that such letters can be provided only after organizers have agreed to include a participant on their final list. Note that letters are only available for actual participants, not for accompanying people.

Letters will be prepared and scanned. They may be sent by normal post if necessary and upon request. Note that no letter will be sent by fast or recorded delivery and that there may be a delay between your request and the preparation of the letter, as the International Coordinator travels on a regular basis and may be away from Cirm. Remember to send your request in plenty of time.

NB: If you need a Certificate of attendance, you will be able to request this during your week at Cirm from Reception.

NB: If your visa letter needs to confirm that your board and lodging is covered by the budget of the organizers, please obtain a written confirmation from the organizers and forward it to the International Coordinator at the same time as you request your visa letter.

The atmosphere at CIRM

Cirm is set in a natural site of outstanding beauty. The centre is organized around a large traditional Provençal house (Bastide), and all buildings are close together and surrounded by a park. The University campus of Luminy is nearby, and the bus stop is just 5 minutes away. Once you have arrived at CIRM you will find yourself in a very tranquil location, which is very conducive to research work, but also to walks and relaxation.
Our surroundings are changing, as we are adding a new bridge-building with additional work rooms and bedrooms, in order to offer the best possible comfort in this unique environment.

Everything on-site

Participants can live in total immersion with their fellow scientists, researching, talking, sleeping and eating in this one place. Board and lodging is taken care of onsite for the vast majority of residents.
Depending on the size of the event you take part in, you will either be in a large lecture hall - seating up to 100 - or in smaller seminar rooms around Cirm. All seminar rooms are very close to one another and also very close to bedrooms and studios. The restaurant stands in the middle of everything and the library is just opposite the lecture hall. You can therefore return to your room at anytime, work in the library for as long as you want (24h access available 7 days a week thanks to a keycard you will be given on arrival), go for a walk in the park or in the calanques during your lunchbreak or in the early evening etc.
But if you can tear yourself away from the calanques, go and check out Marseille! It is well worth a visit. Start with the Vieux Port, you won't be disappointed!

Arrivals

Arrivals take place on Sunday evening for most events. We recommend that you arrive between 5pm and 10pm when someone is on-site to welcome you and check you in. To allow you to interact immediately with fellow participants, a cold buffet is available till 10pm. 

If you arrive after 10pm, please advise the Accommodation Officer beforehand. Note that you will still be able to pick up your room key but no food will be available at Cirm or on the campus.

Transport

Public transport is available all the way to CIRM from the airport (about 90 minutes with shuttle bus, underground and bus) and from the train station (about 40 mns with underground and bus). This costs less than 10€ one way.

If you wish to arrive/leave by taxi, the best is to contact the Accommodation Officer at Cirm a few days before your trip to book it in advance. Make sure you contact her during the week, not at week-ends. The rates are 70-80€ from/to the airport and €30-40 from/to the train station), and you will have drivers who are familiar with the route and will drive you directly to the Centre, not leave you at the entrance to the campus. 

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