Abel Visiting Scholar Program

The Abel Visiting Scholar Program is intended for mathematicians professionally based in developing countries to visit an international research collaborator for a period of one month. For visits longer than one month, applicants must provide evidence of financial support from the host institution to cover living expenses beyond the first month. The program is fully funded by the Abel Prize in mathematics and is administered by the Commission for Developing Countries of the International Mathematical Union.

Since, the program is intended for graduate students based in developing countries who have finished at least 2 years of their PhD on the date of the application deadline or immediately following PhD completion (max. 2 years after the defence) and who are under the age of 35. Priority is given to students having submitted at least one paper to an international peer-reviewed journal. Applications are for visits at the international partner’s home institution.

Selection is based on the quality of the project and the benefit/added value for the home institution/country. A selection committee decides which applications are successful. A candidate who is not selected is invited to reapply.

The grant can cover one month and only for the applicant, up to US$5,000. The grant is paid in two installments: an initial payment covering accommodation in the host country, travel insurance, visa, transport to the airport, and 50% of living cost before departure; and a second payment for remaining living costs after the visit, after the report, pictures, and all invoices have been submitted. Unspent funds must be returned to the IMU CDC.

• Hold a PhD in Mathematics at the time of application.
• Be based in a developing country at the time of application (as defined by IMU).
• Hold a position in a university/ research institution.
• Be in the early stages of professional careers: not yet of full professorial rank but have a working contract in a university/ college.
• Be under 35 years of age at the day of the application deadline.
• For visits longer than one month: provide evidence of financial support from the host institution to cover living expenses beyond the first month.
• Application timing: applications must be received at least four months before the desired starting date.
• Applications cannot be submitted concurrently to the Abel Visiting Scholar Program and the IMU Simons Research Fellowship Program.

• Travel costs: transfer between place of stay and airport (maximum four Taxi/Public Transportation fares can be claimed).
• Economic Airfare.
• Visa fees.
• Travel insurance charges.
• Basic living cost for the first month (daily allowance based on living cost of the visiting country/city, includes cost for public transport and other living costs).
• Accommodation cost in the host country (hotel allowed if the host provides a statement that no guesthouse or rented flat is available; max. 4 weeks; if staying longer than 4 weeks, rent a suitable apartment or guesthouse).
• Grant maximum: up to US$5,000 for one month.

1. Submit a completed application via the online application form.
2. Include all required documents in one merged PDF file to upload as part of your application.
3. Ensure the application is received by the deadline; applications not completed by the deadline cannot be considered for evaluation.
4. If planning a visit longer than one month, attach proof of matching funds from the host institution to cover living expenses.

• CV of applicant and host, including a list of recent publications (max. 3 pages each).
• Research statement for the visit: explain the research project, list the mathematicians with whom the applicant will collaborate, and confirm the applicant has initiated research contact with the proposed international research partner(s). Evidence of prior collaboration is considered a plus.
• Statement from host expressing views on the visit and the research plan.
• Invitation letter by the host institution specifying the period of the visit and the extent of its financial commitment and support; the invitation must come from the dean of the faculty for the host institution; it should specify that the host will offer office space, free Internet access and other basic amenities.
• Confirmation letter by the home institution specifying the employment status of the grantee and that the applicant will be granted appropriate leave of absence covering the period of the visit (use the template attached).
• Copy of the PhD certificate.
• Tentative Budget in USD.
• For research visits longer than one month: proof of matching funds from the host institution to cover living expenses.