The International Mathematical Union invites applications from mathematicians professionally based in developing countries to visit an international research collaborator for a period of one month.
In case the length of the visit exceeds one month, the candidate should 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.
Usually up to 3 Grants are available per YEAR.
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 (information on "Developing Country" right below)
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.
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:
If your application is not complete by the deadline, it cannot be considered for the evaluation round.
Please send your application at least one week in advance for us to review.
For all applicants applying for CDC funding for activities scheduled between June 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021:
Please note that we will request a confirmation letter from the head of the hosting department (where the activity is supposed to take place) confirming the dates of the planned activity.
Please also check if there are any travel warnings for specific countries before you apply for CDC funding.
Please merge all required documents (except the picture of you) into one (1) PDF file and upload it in the Online Application Form.
If your application is NOT completed by the deadline, it CANNOT be considered for evaluation. Please send your application at least two weeks in advance so it can be checked.
The research statement should explain the research project you intend to pursue and list the mathematicians with whom you 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.
The grant can cover for one month and only for the applicant up to 4,400 EUR (5,000 Dollars):
All invoices for travel cost, visa, insurance, accommodation and up to four taxi receipts and all boarding tickets have to be kept by the grantee and be sent (original) to the CDC/ IMU Secretariat by regular mail.
Cash withdrawal receipts can not be accepted!
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. Those costs have to be covered by the grantee or his/her host institution. The living and accommodation cost only cover the research period. In case the grantees stays abroad for private or other purposes not related to the research visit neither living or accommodation cost can be covered from the grant.
The grant is paid in two installments:
The activity and financial report, pictures and all invoices must be send to the IMU Secretariat before the second payment can be initiated.
The Abel Visiting Scholar Program is administered by the Commission for Developing Countries of the International Mathematical Union.
Your application can only be considered if all necessary documents have reached us by the deadline.
Mathematicians from Africa should also consider to apply to the IMU Simons African Fellowship Program which has the same conditions and approx. 10 Scholarships available per year. Please note that IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR the IMU-SIMONS AFRICAN Fellowship you cannot apply for the Abel Visting Scholar Program at the SAME time.
The selection criteria is based on the the quality of the project and the benefit/added value for the home institution/country.
A selection committee decides which applications are successful.
The Selection Committee consists of
a) a member chosen by the Abel board
b) a member chosen by CDC
c) a third member chosen by the IMU EC
Members b) and c) serve for a three year term with a maximum of two periods. The Abel Committee decides on the duration of member a).
The Selection Committee (1 August 2016–31 July 2019) consists of three members.
Good luck!