# Mathematical Research Institute of Oberwolfach

> research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q656142](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q656142)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberwolfach_Research_Institute_for_Mathematics)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mathematical-research-institute-of-oberwolfach

## Summary
The Mathematical Research Institute of Oberwolfach (MFO) is a German research institute dedicated to mathematics. Founded in 1944 by Wilhelm Süss, it is located in Oberwolfach and operates as an international center for mathematicians to conduct research and collaborate. The institute is a member of the prestigious Leibniz Association.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Date:** 1944
- **Founder:** Wilhelm Süss
- **Location:** Oberwolfach, Germany
- **Field of Work:** Mathematics
- **Instance Of:** Research institute, convention center, nonprofit organization
- **Parent Organization:** Leibniz Association
- **Membership:** Leibniz Association (since 2005), European Mathematical Society
- **Legal Form:** `gemeinnützige GmbH` (non-profit limited liability company) since 2005
- **Current Director:** Gerhard Huisken (since 2013)
- **Official Website:** https://www.mfo.de/

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Mathematical Research Institute of Oberwolfach?
A: It is an international research center for mathematics located in Oberwolfach, Germany. The institute hosts mathematicians from around the world for workshops, conferences, and collaborative research.

### Q: Who founded the Oberwolfach Research Institute for Mathematics?
A: The institute was founded in 1944 by the German mathematician Wilhelm Süss.

### Q: Is the MFO part of a university?
A: No, the Mathematical Research Institute of Oberwolfach is an independent, non-profit research institute. It is a member of the Leibniz Association, a union of prominent German non-university research institutions.

## Why It Matters
The Mathematical Research Institute of Oberwolfach (MFO) plays a crucial role in the advancement of global mathematical research. By providing a dedicated and secluded environment, it serves as a vital international meeting point where leading mathematicians and promising young researchers can collaborate intensively without the distractions of their daily academic duties. Its weekly workshop program covers all areas of mathematics, fostering cross-pollination of ideas and driving innovation within the field.

As a member of the Leibniz Association since 2005, the MFO is recognized as an institution of national scientific importance. Its long history, dating back to its founding in 1944, has established it as a prestigious and highly respected center. The institute's library is a significant resource for the mathematical community. Ultimately, the MFO facilitates the kind of focused, in-person collaboration that is essential for solving complex mathematical problems and shaping the future of the discipline.

## Notable For
- **Leibniz Association Membership:** Since 2005, the institute has been a member of the Leibniz Association, a distinguished group of German non-university research institutes.
- **International Hub:** The institute is a global center for mathematical collaboration, hosting researchers from around the world. Its name is recognized in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, and Chinese.
- **Unique Legal Status:** It operates as a `gemeinnützige GmbH`, a German non-profit limited liability company, and is officially recognized as tax-exempt.
- **Symbolic Logo:** The institute's logo features a trefoil knot in the form of a Möbius strip, a famous object in the mathematical field of topology.

## Body
### Organization and Identity
- **Native Label:** Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach
- **Aliases:** MFO, Instituto de Investigacion Matematica de Oberwolfach, Institut de recherche mathématiques d'Oberwolfach, 上沃爾法赫數學研究所, 上沃尔法赫奖
- **Type:** The MFO is classified as a research institute, a convention center, and a nonprofit organization.
- **Field of Work:** Its exclusive focus is mathematics.
- **Legal and Tax Status:** Since 2005, the institute's legal form has been a `gemeinnützige GmbH` (non-profit limited liability company). It is tax-exempt under the German Fiscal Code.

### History and Governance
- **Founding:** The institute was founded in 1944 by Wilhelm Süss.
- **Director:** As of 2013, the director is Gerhard Huisken.
- **Affiliations:** The MFO has been a member of the Leibniz Association since 2005 and is also a member of the European Mathematical Society. The Leibniz Association is listed as its parent organization.

### Location and Facilities
- **Headquarters:** The institute is located in the municipality of Oberwolfach, Germany.
- **Geographic Coordinates:** 48.345555555556° N latitude, 8.2352777777778° E longitude.
- **Components:** The institute includes the Library of the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach.
- **Website:** Its official website is https://www.mfo.de/, available in German.

### Identifiers
- **ROR ID:** 001zbj766
- **GRID ID:** grid.429497.5
- **ISNI:** 0000000123587308
- **GND ID:** 2018983-7
- **VIAF ID:** 126009808
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n50071360

## References

1. [Source](https://euro-math-soc.eu/corporate-members-list?field_corporate_address_country=All&field_corp_type_value=All&items_per_page=All)
2. [Source](https://opc.mfo.de/images/ow-logo.gif)
3. CiNii Research
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Director & Staff](https://www.mfo.de/about-the-institute/staff)
6. GRID Release 2016-12-06
7. GERiT
8. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
10. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)