There is one call for applications every year. 

The application form will open May 10, 2026 and close September 1, 2026. The decisions will be announced by December 1, 2026.

The research visits have to start between February and December 2027. 

Applicants must

1. be graduate students who have finished at least 2 years (24 months) of their PhD in Mathematics on the date of the application deadline or immediately following their PhD completion (max. 1 year (12 months) after the defense)
2. be based in a developing country at the time of application (As defined by IMU)
3. be under 35 years of age at the day of the application deadline.

Priority will be given to applicants who have submitted at least one paper to an international peer-reviewed journal.

Applications from women mathematicians are strongly encouraged.

Selection Criteria

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

Each completed application submitted via the online application form must include:

1. CV of applicant (graduate student) including a list of recent publications (max. 3 pages each)
2. CV of the host including a list of recent publications (max. 3 pages each)
3. Research plan for the visit - Research statements should explain the research project and list the mathematician(s) in the host institution with whom the graduate student will collaborate. The applicant must already have initiated research contact with the proposed international research partner(s) at the time of the application. Evidence of prior collaboration will be considered a plus.
4. Letter of recommendation from the applicant's PhD supervisor to support the research visit
5. Statement from host expressing views on the visit and the research plan
6. Invitation letter by the host institution which clearly specifies the period of the visit as well as the extent of its financial commitment and support. It is expected that the host institution would at least offer office space, free Internet access and other basic amenities. The invitation has to come from the dean of the faculty of the host institution.
7. Confirmation letter by the home institution which clearly specifies when the graduate student started (or finished) his/her PhD and that the graduate student will be granted appropriate leave of absence from his/her home institution which will cover the period of the research visit.
8. A copy of the current PhD enrollment or PhD certificate

The visit must be a research stay and not solely for participation in a conference, workshop, or research school.

Applications not completed by the deadline cannot be considered for evaluation.

The grant can cover for one month and only for the applicant up to US$5,000 Dollars:

1. Travel costs
   • Transfer between place of stay and airport. (Maximum four Taxi/Public Transportation fares can be claimed).
   • Economic Airfare
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, This amount includes the cost for public transport and all other living costs). For a list please go here.
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)

Please note that the grant does not cover any travel costs, accommodation and living costs for requests for additional trips (e.g. to participate in conferences/ workshops) during this time.

The grant is paid in two installments:

• First payment for accommodation in the host country, flight cost to he host country and back (economy class) travel insurance, visa, transport to the airport and 50% of the living cost before departure (maximum 80% of grant)
• Second payment for the remaining living costs after the visit when the report, pictures and all invoices have been submitted.

Report

Six weeks after the visit the grantees has to fill out an online report form with at least 4 pictures of the visit and upload his/her invoices in order to received the second payment.

• Receipt of the grant depends on IMU's ability to legally transfer funds directly to the grantee’s personal bank account. Grants cannot be sent to countries or regions where remittances are prohibited or restricted, and they cannot be transferred to third parties.
• Unspent funds must be returned to the IMU CDC.