It was 1999, and Mike Lazaridis (founder of RIM, which invented and produces the BlackBerry) was considering ways in which a single philanthropic investment might change the world.

For him, the target for that investment was clear: it had to be theoretical physics. The capital costs are modest, because the equipment required is a roof, a chalkboard, and some brilliant minds. And yet, what other field has the history of transforming the world as physics has? What other field has the near certainty of doing it again?

Over and over, today’s theoretical physics has become tomorrow’s technology. Radio, television, semiconductors, computers, lasers, fibre optics, holography, the Internet, GPS, and diagnostic imaging – they are all rooted in breakthroughs made by theoretical physicists in the last 150 years.

At Perimeter, our mission is to make the next breakthroughs:
the ones that will shape the future.

In just 10 years, Perimeter has built a track record of important discoveries in theoretical physics, and has earned a reputation as a rising centre of excellence. We also pride ourselves on not being an ivory tower. Our doors are open. We nurture a culture of innovation with our award-winning outreach programs, and train the next generation of physicists from gifted high school students to masters’ students to post-doctoral fellows.

We have ambitious plans.

We are working to double our cohort of permanent faculty, broaden our research mission to cover eight areas of theoretical physics, and grow our highly acclaimed training and outreach programs. In each of these areas, the support of our private partners will be crucial.

Opportunities to lead the world in key areas of science and technology are very rare. Investment in Perimeter Institute at this critical moment is just such an opportunity, because as Perimeter enters its second decade, it is poised to become the world’s premier centre of theoretical physics.

Join us.