Since its inception, the Santa Fe Institute has devoted itself to the creation of a new kind of scientific research community pursuing emerging syntheses in science. Its broad mission encompasses a number of complementary views and encourages an exploration of previously uncharted domains of science. It is now appropriate for the Institute to define itself more explicitly, based on what has been learned in the first decade.

This expression of a shared vision of SFI contains a Mission Statement defining the reason for the existence of SFI and a Strategy Statement outlining the long-term policies and principles that inform all of the Institute's activities. Mission and strategy together support and strengthen the Institute's resolve to continue to build a unique community of excellence in the world of science and scholarship.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Santa Fe Institute is to conduct and foster scientific research having four dominant, general properties:

Transdisciplinary--Topics of interest transcend any single scientific discipline and cannot be studied adequately in traditional disciplinary contexts. SFI researchers knit together a variety of scientific approaches enabled by a growing set of tools. In order to nurture research of this kind, SFI must assemble and provide adequate resources for a broad scientific and scholarly community seeking common language and principles.

Excellent--SFI applies rigorous standards of excellence to its program. This means that it will not undertake new research unless: it can attract outstanding, creative and dedicated people; it can contribute, not at the margins, but in setting new directions for science; it can tackle problems where success will make major contribution. Thus SFI undertakes high-risk research, often with time horizons of years.

Fresh--SFI, because of its limited resources and because of its desire to remain small enough to permit broad collaboration among those in residence, cannot afford to duplicate what is done elsewhere. Its efforts complement rather than compete with work carried out at other institutions. New work is usually not chosen if it is likely to be done soon at other major institutions. SFI will generally transfer or scale back efforts in areas that become substantially pursued by other major institutions.

Catalytic--SFI desires to spread its ideas and methodologies to influence the way science is done in the next century. It will demonstrate and communicate its views, methods, and successes broadly and, in particular, it will encourage many people from other institutions to experience the SFI atmosphere as visiting researchers.