IMU–Simons African Fellowship Program

Application Deadline: November 15th, 2022

The IMU – Simons African Fellowship Program supports research sabbaticals for mathematicians from African developing countries employed in Africa to travel to an internationally known mathematical center of excellence (worldwide) for collaborative research. All travel and living expenses of the grantees will be covered by the fellowship up to 5,000 USD.

This program is funded by the Simons Foundation, NY, USA, a private foundation based in New York City, incorporated in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, and will run until 31.08.2022.
The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. They sponsor a range of programs in the sciences, including grants programs in mathematics and the physical sciences. The primary focus of the foundation’s Mathematics and Physical Sciences division is the theoretical sciences radiating from mathematics: in particular, the fields of mathematics, theoretical computer science and theoretical physics.

Upcoming Deadlines

• January 15th, 2022 for research visits between May 15th, 2022 and May 15th, 2023 (Decisions will be made by March 15th, 2022)
• April 15th, 2022 for research visits starting between August 1st, 2022 and August 1st, 2023 (Decisions will be made by June 15th, 2022)
• July 15th, 2022 for research visits starting between November 1st, 2022 and November 1st, 2023 (Decisions will be made by September 15th, 2022)
• October 1st, 2022 for research visits between January 15th, 2023 and January 15th, 2024 (Decisions will be made by November 15th, 2022)

For all applicants applying for CDC funding for activities scheduled from now until the end of 2021:
Please note that we will request a confirmation letter from the head of department (where the activity is supposed to take place) confirming the dates of the planned activity.
Applicants are expected to be informed about travel restrictions and warnings of relevant countries before applying for the program.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, costs incurred from COVID-19 tests, quarantines, as well as COVID-19 vaccines can be covered by the CDC upon request.

Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria must be met by the applicant to be eligible for the program:

1. The applicant must hold a valid doctoral degree (PhD) in mathematics.
2. The applicant must be based (place of work) in an African developing country.
3. The applicant must be employed as a mathematician in a faculty of a university or an equivalent higher education institution.
4. The applicant already has established contact with a mathematician in the host institution in a mathematical centre of excellence and have a definite research plan together with the host. This must be submitted as part of the application.
5. The applicant has been granted appropriate leave of absence from his/her home institution during the period of the visit.
6. The applicant must be formally invited by the host institution, through a written letter which clearly specifies the period of the research visit and the extent of the host institutions’ financial commitment and support to the applicant.

Grant Details

The grant can covers only for the applicant up to 5,000 USD:

1. Travel costs
   • Flight costs (Economy)
     During the pandemic grantees are asked to book the flights independently. The flight costs can be transferred prior booking or reimbursed afterwards 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  (daily allowance based on living cost of the visiting country/city, This amount includes the cost for public transport and all other living costs). For a list please go here. If the accommodation includes breakfast or any other meals, the daily amount will be reduced.
5. Accommodation cost in the host country (hotel is allowed if the host provides a statement that no guesthouse or rented flat is available and max. 4 weeks. If you stay longer than 4 weeks you have to rent a suitable apartment or guesthouse). Receipts for cash payments for accommodation costs can not be accepted! You have to pay via a trackable transfer method.

Application Procedure

Complete and submit the online application form for the IMU-Simons Programs.

A completed application form must include all of the following documents as one PDF Document:

• CV of applicant (max. 3 pages)
• CV of the host (max. 3 pages)
• Detailed research plan
• Statement from host expressing views on the visit and the research plan
• Invitation letter by the host institution
• Confirmation Letter by the home institution
• Tentative budget (in USD).

Only applications submitted and completed by the deadline can be considered for the program. 
Applicants are advised to send in applications at least two weeks prior to the deadline, in case of missing information or documents.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the IMU–Simons African Fellowship Program 2022