What is the relationship between the Institute and Princeton University?

Where is the Institute located?

What is Albert Einstein’s relationship to the Institute?

How do I find out more about Einstein?

Does the Institute have Einstein's papers?

How did the Institute celebrate Einstein’s "Miracle Year"?

Is the Institute supported by public funds?

How can I contribute to the work of the Institute?

Who are the Friends of the Institute for Advanced Study?

What is the Association of Members of the Institute for Advanced Study (AMIAS)?

Can non-Institute children attend Crossroads?

Can my group hold an event at the Institute?

How do I submit an application to study at the Institute?

What is the relationship between the Institute and Princeton University?
The Institute is a private, independent academic institution that enjoys close, collaborative ties with Princeton University as well as Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and other nearby institutions. In the early 1930s, Princeton University provided office space for the Institute’s first Faculty members while the Institute building was being constructed, but there are no formal links between the two institutions.

Where is the Institute located?
The Institute is located in the township of Princeton, New Jersey, about a mile from downtown Princeton. If you are attending one of the Institute’s public events or would like to visit the Institute Woods, driving directions are available here.

What is Albert Einstein’s relationship to the Institute?
Albert Einstein came to the United States in 1933 to take up his appointment as one of the first Faculty members at the invitation of Abraham Flexner, the Institute’s Founding Director. Einstein played a significant part in the early development of the Institute and served until his death in 1955. During his time at the Institute, Einstein pursued the goal of a unified field theory, and did so at a time when the goal of unifying the four fundamental forces of nature -- gravity, electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force -- had been set aside by the majority of working physicists. In recent years, this has again become a central goal of physicists and string theory has become the favored candidate to provide a framework for a unified understanding of the basic laws of the physical universe. Some of the foremost string theorists in the world work at the Institute, and in that regard and others, Einstein’s legacy is strongly felt at the Institute.

In accordance with Einstein’s wishes, his office and home were not preserved as memorials to his work. Since his death, the office has been continuously occupied by other members of the Institute's Faculty and is therefore not open to visitors. Einstein’s former home is a private residence not open to the public.

The Historical Society of Princeton is currently developing an exhibition featuring a collection of Einstein’s personal possessions donated by the Institute in 2004. The donated pieces include Einstein's treasured Biedermeir-style grandfather clock, his favorite armchair, his wooden music stand, and his pipe. For more information on this exhibition, please contact the Historical Society of Princeton at (609) 921-6748.

How do I find out more about Einstein?
There are many excellent sources of information about Albert Einstein’s work and his extraordinary influence. The American Institute of Physics publishes a catalogue of the extensive collection of Einstein photographs it holds in its New York Library. Online information on Einstein's years in Princeton is available from the Historical Society of Princeton. The Home page of the Einstein Papers Project at the California Institute of Technology has some useful information, as does the American Institute of Physics and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Your local reference librarian will also be an excellent source of information.

Does the Institute have Einstein's papers?
In his will, Einstein left his papers and estate to The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. A project to publish the Einstein Papers has been underway for some years, with the assistance of both the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University. The home page for the Einstein Papers Project is now located at the California Institute of Technology. Commercial use of Einstein's image is licensed through the Roger Richman Agency (310) 276-7000, which acts as the U.S. agent for The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

How did the Institute celebrate Einstein’s “Miracle Year”?
2005 was the centenary of Albert Einstein’s annus mirabilis of 1905, a period of intense prolific output when he published his seminal papers on Special Relativity, Brownian motion and the photoelectric effect. This was celebrated around the world as well as here at the Institute. Einstein was one of the Institute’s first Faculty, and his contributions were the focus of our Founders Day on May 20, the 75th anniversary of the signing of our Certificate of Incorporation. See our 75th Anniversary page for information about Founders Day, as well as a listing of the other celebratory events that took place on campus in 2005.

Is the Institute supported by public funds?
In addition to the financial support provided by individual donors and private foundations, some of the Institute's programs receive funding from the federal government, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Security Agency. The State of New Jersey has helped to fund the Institute's work in theoretical computer science and the IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute. Also, some Members come to the Institute with support from foreign foundations and governments.

How can I contribute to the work of the Institute?
There are many ways to give to the Institute, including gifts and pledges that reflect the tax benefits of gifts to education, outright gifts, pledges to a particular program or School, and other opportunities.

Who are the Friends of the Institute for Advanced Study?
Through their support and involvement, Friends of the Institute become partners in the advancement of research and scholarship at the highest level, while providing an important link to the community. Friends have many opportunities to participate in the intellectual and cultural life of the Institute with access to lectures, films, concerts, symposia, and more. For more information about the Friends, please call (609) 734-8204.

What is the Association of Members of the Institute for Advanced Study (AMIAS)?
Founded in 1974 by Institute Members, AMIAS' central purpose is to support and extend the Institute's mission and to help sustain opportunities for independent, undistracted scholarship for future generations of Institute Members. For further information about AMIAS, please e-mail   or call (609) 734-8259.

Can non-Institute children attend Crossroads?
Crossroads is a licensed, self-supporting nursery school and infant center located on Olden Lane on the Institute's campus. It was founded primarily for children of members of the Institute community, but other children and infants are welcome. For further information call (609) 951-4699.

Can my group hold an event at the Institute?
Since the primary mission of the Institute is to foster the work of our scholars in a tranquil environment free of distraction, we are unable to accommodate requests for use of our facilities.

How do I submit an application to study at the Institute?
Application information is available from each of the four schools: Historical Studies, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Science. For information on applying to one of the Institute’s special programs, please visit one of the following links to your program of interest: Program for Women and Mathematics; Prospects in Theoretical Physics; Institute for Advanced Study/Park City Mathematics Institute.