About this opportunity
For a mathematician working in a developing country, the hardest part of international collaboration is often simply getting to the place where the collaboration happens. The IMU-Simons Research Fellowship Program, run by the International Mathematical Union through its Commission for Developing Countries, removes that barrier by funding research visits of one to three months at a host mathematical institution abroad.
Awards range from US$5,000 to US$15,000 and are built around the real costs of a visit: economy airfare, visa fees, health travel insurance, accommodation, a daily living allowance set by the cost of living in the host country, and airport transfers. The programme also recognises primary caregivers, with support that can include up to US$1,500 for a child's airfare, a US$100 monthly child allowance, and up to US$400 per month for childcare services, subject to documentation.
The fellowship is not an open travel grant. Applicants must already hold a PhD in mathematics, occupy a permanent faculty position, and have an established collaboration with a host institution, evidenced by an invitation letter, along with a concrete research plan and confirmation of leave from their home institution. For mathematicians based in Nigeria and other African countries with a live collaboration abroad, this is a structured way to spend up to three months inside it.
What you receive
- US$5,000 to US$15,000 covering the costs of a one to three month research visit abroad
- Economy airfare, visa fees, health travel insurance, accommodation and airport transfers
- A daily living allowance based on the cost of living in the host country
- Child support for eligible primary caregivers: up to US$1,500 child airfare, US$100 monthly allowance, up to US$400 monthly childcare
- Time to strengthen an existing research collaboration and produce joint work
- Paid in two installments, with the balance released after the visit report
Who can apply
- You hold a PhD in mathematics
- You are employed as a faculty member of a university or an equivalent institution, with a permanent position
- You are based, in terms of place of work, in a developing country
- You can obtain a leave of absence from your institution for the visit period
- You have already established contact and collaboration with a host mathematician and institution
- You can commit to a visit of at least one month and at most three months
Who should not apply
- Applications without an established host collaboration and an invitation letter cannot be supported
- Applicants already holding an Abel Visiting Scholar award must wait until that activity concludes before applying
- An application that is not completed by the deadline cannot be considered for evaluation
Documents to prepare
- Curriculum vitae of the applicant and of the host professor
- A detailed research plan for the visit
- An invitation letter from the host institution
- A confirmation letter from the home institution approving the leave of absence
- A tentative budget in US dollars
- A declaration of any additional financial support from other sources
- Supporting documentation for any requested child-related costs
How to apply
- Confirm your host collaboration and obtain an invitation letter from the host institution
- Secure a formal leave of absence and a confirmation letter from your home institution
- Draft a focused research plan with objectives, activities, expected outcomes and a realistic one to three month schedule
- Prepare a tentative budget in US dollars and list any other funding you receive
- Open the IMU grants application portal and create your applicant account
- Submit the complete application by 15 January 2027 for research visits starting between 1 June 2027 and 1 June 2028
Selection process
- Applications are evaluated on the merits of the proposed visit and the strength of the existing collaboration
- Decisions for this round will be made no earlier than 15 March 2027
- Awarded fellows receive the grant in two installments, with the final payment requiring a detailed post-visit report and supporting documents
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027: Up to £703,800 Over Four Years for Early-Career Black Researchers in STEM
A four year postdoctoral fellowship of up to £703,800 for early-career researchers from Black heritage backgrounds working in the natural sciences in the UK, with mentoring, training and possible relocation and visa support. Applications close 18 November 2026.
Questions applicants ask
How long can the research visit last?
Visits run from one to three months, with longer stays encouraged within the three-month maximum.
How much funding does the fellowship provide?
Awards range from US$5,000 to US$15,000, based on the eligible costs of the proposed visit.
Is a host institution required?
Yes. You need an established collaboration with a host institution and must provide an invitation letter when you apply.
Does the fellowship support children?
Eligible primary caregivers can receive up to US$1,500 toward a child's airfare, US$100 per month as a child allowance, and up to US$400 per month for childcare, subject to documentation.
Can I hold other funding?
You must declare any additional support from other sources, and the same expense should not be presented as fully covered by multiple funders.
When is the deadline?
Applications close on 15 January 2027 for research visits starting between 1 June 2027 and 1 June 2028. The provider publishes the date without a specific cut-off time.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
