IMU Abel Visiting Scholar Program 2024/2025 for Mathematicians from Developing Countries (Fully Funded & USD 5,000/Grantee)

Application Deadline: December 31, 2024

The Abel Visiting Scholar Program is intended for mathematicians professionally based in developing countries to visit an international research collaborator for a period of one month. For visits that are longer than one month, applicants must provide evidence of financial support from the host institution to cover the living expenses beyond the first month. The program is designed for post doctoral mathematicians in the early stages of their professional careers. It is designed to offer the opportunity for a ‘research sabbatical,’ a necessary complement to teaching and other academic duties for mathematicians desiring to also sustain a viable research program.

The Abel Visiting Scholar Program is fully funded by the Abel Prize in mathematics and is administered by the Commission for Developing Countries of the International Mathematical Union. Usually up to 3 Grants are available per year.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must

     1.   hold at the time of application a PhD in Mathematics,

     2.   be based in a developing country at the time of application (As defined by IMU)

     3.   hold a position in a university/ research institution

     4.   be in the early stages of their professional careers, more precisely: the applicants  should

            4. 1) not yet be of full professorial rank but have a working contract in a university/ college

            4. 2) be under 35 years of age at the day of the application deadline.

The maximum age may be increased by up to three years in the case of an individual with a broken career pattern. This should be noted in the application together with the reason for the broken career pattern. Applications from women mathematicians are strongly encouraged.

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria is based on the the quality of the project and the benefit/added value for the home institution/country.

Application Requirements

Each completed application submitted via the Online Application Form must include:

1. CV of applicant and host, including a list of recent publications (max. 3 pages each)
2. Research statement for the visit – Research statements should explain the research project and list the mathematicians with whom the applicant will collaborate. The applicant must already have initiated research contact with the proposed international research partner(s). Evidence of prior collaboration will be considered a plus. The collaboration should take place at the international partner’s home institution.
3. An official invitation from the institution of the international research partner
4. Letter of recommendation – If the letter of recommendation is not written by the international research partner (the host), the application should include a statement from the host approving the research plan.
5. A copy of the PhD certificate
6. A statement about the current employment status/position in the home institution signed and stamped by employer. The statement should include the duration of employment. Please use the template attached.
7. A budget estimation. Please, use the Tentative Budget Form. (for more information see ‘Financial Support’)
8. A photograph of the applicant for the IMU website
9. In case of a research visit longer than a month, applicants must attached proof of matching funds from the host institution to cover living expenses

Grant Details

The grant can cover for one month and only for the applicant up to 4,400 EUR (5,000 Dollars):

1. Travel costs
   • from the place of work of the applicant to that of the host to the extent of economy class airfare.
     During the pandemic grantees are asked to book the flights independently. The flight costs can be transferred prior to booking or reimbursed after as long as invoices are provided.
   • (Public) transport (surface transport by rail or bus between the nearest city where the airport is located and the headquarters of the candidate or the city/town where the host institution is located, if necessary). Maximum four (4) Taxi fares (on submission of receipts) may be allowed to travel between the home and the airport/railway station (upon arrival and departure).
   • In case the applicant has to stay in a hotel before departure or upon arrival, this needs to be mentioned in the budget details. Maximum one (1) night (both arrival and departure) can be paid from the grant.
2. Visa fees
3. Travel insurance charges 
4. Basic living cost for the first month (daily allowance based on living cost of the visiting country/city, 

Timeline:

Applications must be received at least four months before the desired starting date. The selection committee will review the applications and award fellowships every four months. The result is announced on the Abel Visiting Scholar Recipients page.

The following deadlines apply:

• August 31, 2023 for visits between January 1 and April 30, 2024
• December 31, 2023 for visits between May 1 and August 31, 2024
• April 30, 2024 for visits between September 1 and December 31, 2024

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the IMU Abel Visiting Scholar Program