The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences is an international centre for scientific research in mathematical sciences at the University of Toronto, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The institute is named for University of Toronto mathematician John Charles Fields, after whom the Fields Medal is also named. It was established in 1992, and was briefly based at the University of Waterloo before relocating to Toronto in 1995.

As stated in The Institute's "Fields Institute Fellows" page : "As part of the celebrations for its 10th anniversary, the Fields Institute created in 2002 the designation of Fields Institute Fellows and awarded it to a number of people in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Fields Institute and its activities during its first 10 years.

Each year, new appointments are made to recognize others who have contributed in a significant way to activities at the Fields Institute and within the Canadian mathematical community." "These lifetime appointments recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Fields Institute and its activities." My appointment was made in 2003.