The Winner of the 2026 CRM-Fields-PIMS Prize is Prof. Robert McCann of the University of Toronto
The 2026 CRM-Fields-PIMS Prize has been awarded to Professor Robert McCann, a leading figure in the theory of optimal transport and one of Canada’s most influential mathematicians. A faculty member at the University of Toronto since 1998, Dr. McCann has shaped the trajectory of several modern mathematical fields through his deep insights, interdisciplinary reach, and long-standing leadership in the Canadian mathematical sciences community.
After completing his PhD in 1994 at Princeton University, followed by an appointment at Brown University, Dr. McCann joined the University of Toronto, where he is now a central figure in both the Mathematics Department and—thanks to a recent cross-appointment—the Department of Economics. The latter honour reflects the growing impact of his mathematical work on economic theory, and arrives alongside his receipt of the 2026 CRM-Fields-PIMS Prize—making November an exceptionally noteworthy month in his career.
Dr. McCann first rose to prominence in the 1990s through his introduction of the concept of displacement convexity, a breakthrough that rapidly became foundational to modern optimal transport theory. This pioneering work revealed profound connections between optimal transport and geometric notions of curvature and helped spark the development of the now-vibrant theory of metric measure spaces. His contributions to the regularity theory of optimal transport maps further clarified how curvature and convexity properties influence the structure and behaviour of optimal solutions.
Working at the interface of analysis, geometry, physics, and economics, Dr. McCann has continually broadened the reach of optimal transport. His analytical framework has become central in economic models of matching and equilibrium, in which optimal transport maps provide the mathematical underpinning for understanding how agents are effectively assigned to contracts or goods. This interplay between pure mathematics and applied modelling exemplifies his versatility and the breadth of his scientific vision.
More recently, Dr. McCann has returned to themes originating in his early work on mathematical physics. His research on the non-smooth theory of gravity, highlighted in a 2025 Quanta Magazine feature on developments in general relativity, has uncovered new ways to understand curvature in space-time—even in settings where classical calculus breaks down. His discovery of a connection between optimal transport and Ricci curvature paved the way for estimating geometric quantities using entirely new techniques, and has inspired widespread interest in extending differential-geometric ideas to non-smooth contexts.
Dr. McCann’s impact on the Canadian mathematical landscape also extends far beyond his research contributions. For more than two decades, he has played a key role in shaping mathematical activity at the Fields Institute, beginning with his memorable 2001 workshop, “Problems and Perspectives on the Calculus of Variations: Physics, Economics, and Geometry,” affectionately dubbed “Transport me to Toronto!” by its participants. His leadership, mentorship, and service have helped strengthen Canada’s position as an international hub for research in analysis, geometry, and applied mathematics. As a visionary researcher whose work has influenced mathematics, physics, and economics; as a scholar who has shaped major developments across multiple fields; and as a dedicated contributor to Canada’s mathematical community, Robert McCann is a most worthy recipient of the 2026 CRM-Fields-PIMS Prize.
Photo credit: Canadian Mathematical Society