CFAs: IMU-Simons Research Fellowship Program for Developing Countries

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The IMU-Simons Research Fellowship Program supports mathematicians from developing countries to undertake collaborative research visits of one to three months at mathematical institutions abroad. Fellows can receive US$5,000 to US$15,000 to cover eligible travel, accommodation, living, insurance, visa, and family-related expenses while strengthening international mathematical research collaborations. The International Mathematical Union (IMU), through the IMU-Simons Research Fellowship Program, provides financial support to mathematicians from developing countries who need to undertake collaborative research visits at mathematical institutions abroad. The program is designed to strengthen international research collaboration and provide mathematicians with opportunities to work directly with established research partners in another country. Research visits can last from one to three months, with longer visits encouraged where appropriate. The fellowship provides financial support for the costs associated with an international research visit.

Funding can cover:

The funding is intended to make collaborative research visits more accessible to mathematicians who may otherwise face financial barriers to international mobility. Fellowship awards range from US$5,000 to US$15,000. The final amount depends on the proposed research visit and eligible costs. Applicants should prepare a realistic budget in US dollars and ensure that requested costs are directly connected to the research visit. The program supports research visits lasting: Longer research stays are encouraged within the program’s three-month maximum. Applicants should select a visit period that provides sufficient time to complete the proposed collaborative research activities. The fellowship recognizes additional costs that primary caregivers may face when undertaking international research visits.

Eligible child support can include:

Childcare and other applicable family-related expenses are subject to documentation requirements. Applicants who request child support should include the relevant costs in their proposed budget and provide supporting documentation where required. Applicants must meet the program’s academic and employment requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

The fellowship is intended for mathematicians who can use the international visit to advance collaborative research. Applicants must have an established collaboration with a host institution when submitting the application. A concrete research relationship is therefore an important part of the fellowship. The application must include an invitation letter from the host institution, demonstrating that the proposed research visit has been agreed upon with the host. Applicants must submit a detailed research plan explaining what they intend to accomplish during the fellowship.

The plan should clearly describe:

A focused research plan helps demonstrate that the fellowship will result in meaningful collaborative research. Applicants must be able to secure a leave of absence from their home institution for the duration of the research visit. The application must include a confirmation letter from the home institution. This documentation demonstrates that the applicant’s university or equivalent institution is aware of and supports the proposed research visit. Applicants should prepare the required supporting materials before submitting an application.

The application must include:

Applicants should ensure that the information in the research plan, invitation letter, institutional confirmation, and budget is consistent. Applicants must declare any additional support received from other sources. This information should be clearly stated in the application so that the fellowship budget accurately reflects other available funding. Applicants should avoid presenting the same expense as being fully covered by multiple funding sources. The fellowship grant is disbursed in two installments. The final payment is conditional on the fellow completing the required reporting process after the research visit. A detailed report and supporting documentation must be submitted following the visit before the final installment is released. A strong application should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed visit and the applicant’s research development.

Applicants should focus on:

Applicants requesting family support should also provide clear documentation for the relevant child-related expenses. International research visits can provide mathematicians with opportunities to work closely with specialists, access research expertise, develop new collaborations, and advance joint research projects. For mathematicians from developing countries, such opportunities can also contribute to stronger international research networks and long-term academic collaboration. The IMU-Simons Fellowship combines financial mobility support with a requirement for concrete collaborative research, making the research visit an integral part of the fellowship. It is a fellowship program that supports mathematicians from developing countries to undertake collaborative research visits at mathematical institutions abroad. The fellowship supports visits of one to three months, with longer stays encouraged within the maximum three-month period. Awards range from US$5,000 to US$15,000, depending on the eligible costs associated with the proposed research visit. Applicants must hold a PhD in mathematics, have a permanent faculty position at a university or equivalent institution in a developing country, and be able to take a leave of absence for the visit. Yes. Applicants must have an established collaboration with a host institution when applying and must provide an invitation letter from the host. The fellowship can support economy airfare, visa fees, health travel insurance, accommodation, daily living expenses based on the host country’s cost of living, and airport transfers. Yes. Elig