The IMU has been very sensitive to the needs of mathematicians working in developing and economically disadvantaged countries. In order to consolidate the efforts of the IMU to help such mathematicians through its various agencies, it established the CDC in 2011, which is responsible for all IMU initiatives to help mathematicians from developing countries.

Major problems faced by such mathematicians include working in understaffed mathematics departments and being subjected to heavy teaching loads, thereby having very little time for pursuing individual research interests. Further, each mathematician is often the only person working in his/her research area and so (s)he cannot have useful and stimulating mathematical discussions which are essential to generate new ideas in research. Such mathematicians need time off from their usual duties to recharge their intellectual batteries and to initiate collaborative research with mathematicians working in centres of excellence elsewhere in the world under favourable working conditions.

The need for support is particularly high in Africa. According to the United Nation's 2013 Human Development Report, out of the 46 poorest countries in the world, 37 are located in Africa. To overcome this problem the IMU Commission for Developing Countries (IMU CDC) is launching the "IMU - Simons African Fellowship Program" a research travel support program aimed for African Mathematicians working in African developing countries.

The program will allow African mathematicians to travel to a centre of excellence in any part of the world for collaborative research. The program is funded by the Simons Foundation from New York who has granted USD 50,000 per year for five consecutive years starting in September 2016. The Fellowship grant covers travel, accommodation, visa, travel insurance and living costs up to USD 5,000.

The duration of the visit should be of a reasonable length of time to allow fruitful interaction. In particular, the minimal length of a visit is one month. Interested mathematicians must hold a valid doctoral degree and must be employed as a faculty member of a university or equivalent institution.

Further information can be found on the program website.

The IMU-CDC is very thankful for the generous support by the Simons Foundation.