At the end of September, 2006, the Department of Mathematics at Rutgers-New Brunswick was awarded a $378,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, under their "GAANN" program (Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need). During the period 2006-2009 this money will be available to support approximately 9 generous graduate assistantships in the department's Ph.D. program. These fellowships are for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Applications from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged.

The application for this grant was a combined effort of many faculty members in the department, as well as our wonderful Business Manager, Judith Lige. Thanks are due to (in alphabetical order) Jószef Beck, Amy Cohen, Steve Ferry, Steve Greenfield, Michael Kießling, Jim Lepowsky, Feng Luo, Former Graduate Director Chuck Weibel and Acting Chair Robert Wilson. Finally, Michael Pazzani, the Vice-President for Research and Graduate and Professional Education, was there when it counted, helping us with his expertise at a critical juncture in the application process.