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.

• April 30, 2025 for visits between September 1 and December 31, 2025

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.

Each completed application submitted via the online pplication 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. Statement from host expressing views on the visit and the research plan
4. 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 for the host institution.
5. Confirmation letter by the home institution which clearly specifies the employment status of the grantee and that the applicant will be granted appropriate leave of absence from his/her home institution which will cover the period of the visit. Please use the template attached.
6. A copy of the PhD certificate
7. Tentative Budget in USD
8. 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

Please merge all required documents into one (1) PDF file to be uploaded as part of your application.

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).

If you travel during public holidays in the host country and while the host institution is closed for public holidays (e.g. during Christmas time) you cannot received basic living cost during the period the institution is closed, but your accommodation cost can be paid. 

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, travel insurance, visa, transport to the airport and 50% of the living cost before departure.
• Second payment for the remaining living costs after the visit when the report, pictures and all invoices have been submitted.

Note:

• Unspent funds must be returned to the IMU CDC.
• Receipt of the Abel Visiting Scholar grant is subject to the IMU's ability to legally transfer funds to the grantee's personal bank account.

A selection committee decides which applications are successful.

The Selection Committee consists of

1. a chairperson chosen by the IMU EC
2. a member chosen by the CDC
3. a member chosen by the IMU EC

Members 2. and 3. serve for a three year term with a maximum of two periods. The IMU EC decides on the duration of member 1.

The current terms of the Selection Committee are as followed respectively:

• 1 August 2021 - 31 December 2022
• 1 August 2019 - 31 July 2022
• 1 August 2021 - 31 July 2024

• A candidate who is not selected is invited to reapply.
• Mathematicians above the age of 34 are encouraged to apply to the IMU Simons Research Fellowship Program.
• Applications must be received at least four months before the desired starting date
• Applicants cannot concurrently apply to the Abel Visiting Scholar Program and the IMU Simons Research Fellowship Program.