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Graduate Assistantships in Developing Countries

IMU CDC established in 2017 the Graduate Research Assistantships in Developing Countries (GRAID) Program.

The GRAID program provides modest support for emerging research groups, working in a developing country listed in Priority 1 or 2 of the IMU Definition of Developing Countries, to fund their most talented students to study full-time as graduate research assistants. Supported students must pursue a Master or PhD graduate degree in mathematics, thereby fostering the growth of a mathematics community.
 
The students will receive a monthly stipend to study full-time and pursue a Master or PhD graduate degree in mathematics. Additionally, the program supports them by establishing their networks with an international mathematician.

Funding for the graduate research assistantships is provided by voluntary donations from mathematicians or mathematical institutions worldwide.

Call for Applications

The next deadline to apply is March 15, 2025, 11:59PM USA Eastern time.

The application form will be made available from January 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Requirements for Student Nominees

Students nominated under this program must:

  • Demonstrate an outstanding academic track record in mathematical sciences.
  • Have already been accepted into a graduate program (Master’s or PhD).

Note: The Principal Investigator will serve as the primary point of contact and will be responsible for all aspects of the grant, including submitting the application, preparing and submitting reports, facilitating communication with IMU Grant Administration, and maintaining communication within the team, including with the graduate research assistants and the International Partner.

Application

The following documents must be uploaded as part of the application: 

  • Collaboration Proposal (max. 3 pages)
    The proposal must include the Principal investigator's experience in mentoring students and the outcomes of the mentored students (if any), and declare any other potential sources of financial support for students (including but not limited to family, private foundations, government, local, national, or international funding)
  • CV of Principal Investigator (max. 2 pages)
  • CV of International Partner (max. 2 pages)
  • CV of Student Nominee
  • Transcript of Student Nominee

Note: All documents must be submitted in English. Only PDF documents can be uploaded. 

Grant Details

Amount of Support

  • Each graduate research assistant is eligible for a stipend capped at USD 3,500 per year.

  • Each team may apply for funding for up to two graduate research assistantships.

The stipend may be used to cover the following costs for graduate research assistants:

  • Tuition Fees
  • Accommodation expenses
  • Basic living expenses

Duration of Support

  • PhD students can be funded for up to 4 years
  • Master's students can be funded for up to 2 years

Note: Continued support is contingent upon satisfactory progress as documented in the annual reports.

Annual Report

Annual reports must be submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) and must include the following details:

1. Graduate Research Assistants

  • A list of courses completed during the year.
  • A brief description of the research work conducted.
  • A copy of the academic transcript. 

2. Principal Investigator and International Partner (Each must submit an independent report)

  • A brief summary of work completed in the past year.
  • Plans for the upcoming year.
  • A list of scientific papers completed (all papers must acknowledge support from the IMU CDC and the GRAID Program).
  • Individual progress reports for each graduate research assistant supported by GRAID in their group.

The GRAID Selection Committee will evaluate these reports annually, prior to reviewing new applications, to assess whether graduate research assistants remain in good standing.

Selection Committee

The GRAID Selection Committee consists of the CDC Secretary for Policy as Chair and has five other members, two from CDC and three others, with representations from North and South America, Africa, and Europe respectively.

Administration and Contact

The Program is administered by members of the GRAID Committee. For further details and inquiries please send an email to the Secretary of the GRAID Committee: graid.secretary@mathunion.org

Call for Donations

Mathematicians wishing to donate to GRAID can do so via the Friends of IMU website.