• The “IMU – Simons African Fellowship Program” will run until 31.08 2022.
• The program is intended to support mathematicians for a limited research period and not for post graduate courses or post doctoral training.
• The grant covers travel and basic living expenses of African mathematicians working in Africa (from a developing country, as defined by the IMU for all its schemes) during the sabbatical.

The applicants will be screened by the Grant Selection Committee (GSC) consisting of the CDC Secretary for Grants Selection as Chair and has six other members - Three from CDC and three others each representing Latin America, Africa and Asia respectively.

• January 15th, 2021 for research visits between May 15th, 2021 and May 15th, 2022 (Decisions will be made by March 15th, 2021)
• April 15th, 2021 for research visits starting between August 1st, 2021 and August 1st, 2022 (Decisions will be made by June 15th, 2021)
• July 15th, 2021 for research visits starting between November 1st, 2021 and November 1st, 2022 (Decisions will be made by September 15th, 2021)
• October 1st, 2021 for research visits between January 15th, 2022 and January 15th, 2023 (Decisions will be made by November 15th, 2021)

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.

The grant con cover 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.

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:

• 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. 
• To receive the second payment the report, pictures and all invoices must be send to the IMU Secretariat before the second payment can be initiated.

The grantee must submit a detailed financial report with all invoices and boarding tickets to the IMU Secretariat (in original via postage) two weeks after the conclusion of the visit.

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.
   Host institutions are expected to provide office space, free internet access and other basic amenities. The host institution is also expected to help the applicant to find appropriate accommodation. In the event that no guest house or flat is available, the host institution has to issue a letter that accommodation is only possible in an economic hotel/apartment hotel with kitchenette. The invitation must be signed by the dean/head of the faculty of the host institution (not the host).
7. The minimal length of a visit is one month. There is no maximal length, however this is a sabbatical/ research visit and not a fellowship position in the host institution (e.g. doing a post-doctoral).

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

A completed application form must include all requested documents as one PDF Document:

• CV of applicant
• CV of the host
• Detailed 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.

• If you do not receive an automated reply after submitting the application, let us know via cdc.grants@mathunion.org
• If you are applying for the IMU-Simons African Fellowship Program then you cannot apply for the Abel Visiting Scholar Program simultaneously.
• If for some reason the visit is postponed/ canceled, you must inform the IMU Secretariat immediately.
• All spending must be verified with invoices and funds spent without receipts have to be returned to CDC.

In case of any question regarding the program, please contact the IMU Secretariat via e-mail cdc.grants@mathunion.org