The next deadlines for mathematics institutions in developing countries to apply for participation in the Volunteer Lecturer Program are:

• October 15, 2025 (23:59 CET) for courses to be held between February 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027
• January 15, 2026 (23:59 CET) for courses to be held between May, 2026 and May 1, 2027
• April 1, 2026 (23:59 CET) for courses to be held between August 1, 2026 and August 1, 2027

Late applications are not considered.

The purpose of the program is to provide funding for the organization of courses given by external lecturers of the following types:

•  (A) Courses that are part of a regular mathematics undergraduate or master degree program at the hosting university on topics where the applicant university has a lack of expertise
• (B) Courses at doctoral level which can be beneficial to PhD students and researchers of one or several research institutions

The proposed lecturer for the course can be freely chosen by the applicant.
The Volunteer Lecturer Database is not available anymore. If you need help finding a lecturer, please contact the CDC Secretary for Policy via email.

The course must fulfill the following requirements:

• The course must take place in an institution of a developing country (for the list of developing countries according to CDC click here)
• A course of type (A) must be an integral component of a regular mathematics degree program at the host university and include examination
• In the case of a course of type (B), the applicant must describe the relevance of the project and the expected outcome.
• The course must last at least 10 working days and include at least 20 hours of teaching (including training sessions)
• A substantial enrollment for the course must be guaranteed (at least 15 students for a (A) course and 10 participants for a (B) course)

The Host Institution is responsible for organizing the course throughout the activity, it:

• decides the course content and guides the volunteer towards desired syllabus
• schedules the course and assists when necessary during the course
• coordinates living arrangements and local transportation for the volunteer lecturer
• prepares the students for the course beforehand
• helps with student mentoring and assessment and takes care of any necessary follow up

The Host Institution is also required to fill out a report form after the visit of the volunteer and send some pictures of the course.

 

The funding provided by the Volunteer Lecturer Program can be used to cover the following costs:

• Travel expenses of the lecturer (economic flight, bus, train cost)
• Visa, travel health insurance, vaccination for the lecturer
• Accommodation (we suggest a guest house if possible)
• Basic living cost for the time of the course (daily allowance based on living cost of the visiting country/city, see here). 

The accommodation cost and the basic living cost will be covered in exceptional circumstances.
Usually CDC covers the travel cost and if necessary the international/travel health insurance.
Prior to submitting an application to CDC it is requested that host institutions ask for funding for the local cost of the lecturer from their (the host institution).
If an Host Institution cannot cover local cost, the host institution must include a statement on the lack of funding for the lecturers cost.

Note:
Receipt of the Volunteer Lecturer grant is subject to the IMU's ability to legally transfer funds to the grantee's (Volunteer Lecturer) personal bank account.

Only host institutions can apply for a grant. 

Applications can be made by following the steps described here.

Requirements

Lecturers who would like to participate in the CDC VLP program have to hold a PhD in the mathematical sciences and be employed in a university as a lecturer in the mathematical sciences (or governmental or industrial positions with a focus on the mathematical sciences) to be eligible to participate in the program. The lecturer should have finished his/ her PhD at least 4 (four) years before he/ she serves as a CDC VLP lecturer. 

The volunteers should be professional mathematicians with regular positions (lecturers/professors) in universities (teaching in mathematics or related departments/faculties) to which they will return after their VLP course has finished.

Past experience in the developing world is desirable but not necessary. However what is required is tolerance for working in circumstances of modest resources, unexplained inefficiencies, and limited physical comforts.

The lecturer will be assisted by a local mathematics professor who prepares the students beforehand, assists when necessary during the course, and takes care of any necessary follow-up. These courses should have a student audience of 15-20 or more, be controlled with examinations, and be part of a regular degree program at the university at which they are offered.

Funding

Funds for living expenses, including travel, visa, health insurance, necessary vaccination, accommodation and living costs will be provided by IMU/ CDC and the host institution.

CDC requests that the mathematician's home institution offers leave with pay (continue to pay the salary during his/her absence).

We believe that a strong case can be made that cooperation with this program will not only bring personal and professional benefit to the lecturer, but will also redound to the credit of the lecturer's home institution.

However no salary is paid to the lecturer. No assistant can be paid either.

Health Insurance

The CDC requests that the volunteer, prior to departure, obtains an international health insurance which covers all costs for necessary medical treatment abroad and repatriation in the event of illness or an accident. Volunteer lecturers should arrange for any additional health insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, prudent during their VLP assignment. Costs of such insurance can be charged as part of the VLP grant support provided by IMU.  

Liability

IMU/ CDC works with the host institutions to insure a secure and productive stay in the country of the host institution from the moment of arrival to the moment of departure. Although the host institutions make every effort to insure placements in relatively safe, secure and healthy environments, neither the International Mathematical Union or its Commission for Developing Countries can assume liability for the health and safety of a volunteer lecturer.

We advise all volunteer lecturers to check with their Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ State Department prior to their departure regarding safety, health issues (including immunization) and health insurance. This source also provides helpful guidance and general comments on travel to the country and region hosting the volunteer lecturer.

The CDC had maintained a Volunteer Lecturer Database of the mathematicians interested in volunteering. 

The  Database is not updated anymore and registration is not possible. 

If you have questions, please contact CDC Grants Administration.