The CDC was established in early 2008 with the mandate of (i) deciding on the division of resources for developing countries between IMU’s Commission on Development and Exchanges (CDE) and Developing Countries Strategy Group (DCSG), and (ii) designing a structure for a future Commission for Developing Countries to be presented at IMU’s next General Assembly in 2010.
The CDC has the mandate to manage all IMU initiatives in support of mathematics in the developing world and, in particular, to continue the successful work previously carried out by CDE and DSCG.
Besides administering the Grants Programs for Mathematicians as well as the Volunteer Lecture Program, the CDC takes part in the following types of activities in accord with various aspects of its mission:
- Research
- Support of local initiatives
- Support of Educational and Local Capacity Building Programs
- Implementation of IMU member contribution programs destined for support of mathematics and mathematics teaching in developing countries.
- Exploration of funding and grant opportunities of new and existing sponsors.
- Development of proposals and joint activities with partner organizations.
- Identification of inexpensive and free online mathematics research resources and advertise these to mathematicians in the developing world.
- Service as a “clearing-house” for the activities of individual countries and mathematics societies in support of mathematicians in the developing world.
- Encouragement of proposals and support projects from mathematical organizations or individual mathematicians in the developing world
In order to pursue its mission CDC receives an annual grant from IMU.
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 that are longer than one month, applicants must provide evidence of financial support from the host institution to cover the living expenses beyond the first month.
The program is designed for post doctoral mathematicians in the early stages of their professional careers. It is designed to offer the opportunity for a ‘research sabbatical,’ a necessary complement to teaching and other academic duties for mathematicians desiring to also sustain a viable research program.
The Abel Visiting Scholar Program is fully funded by the Abel Prize in mathematics and is administered by the Commission for Developing Countries of the International Mathematical Union.
Usually up to 3 Grants are available per year.
Benefits
- The grant can cover for one month and only for the applicant up to 4,400 EUR (5,000 Dollars):
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- Travel costs
- from the place of work of the applicant to that of the host to the extent of economy class airfare.
During the pandemic grantees are asked to book the flights independently. The flight costs can be transferred prior to booking or reimbursed after 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.
- from the place of work of the applicant to that of the host to the extent of economy class airfare.
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance charges
- Basic living cost for the first month (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.
- 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.
- Travel costs
Eligibilities
- Applicants must
1. hold at the time of application a PhD in Mathematics,
2. be based in a developing country at the time of application (As defined by IMU)
3. hold a position in a university/ research institution
4. be in the early stages of their professional careers, more precisely: the applicants should
4. 1) not yet be of full professorial rank but have a working contract in a university/ college
4. 2) be under 35 years of age at the day of the application deadline.
Eligible Regions: Developing countries (as defined by the IMU).Application Process
- Each completed application submitted via the Online Application Form must include:
- CV of applicant and host, including a list of recent publications (max. 3 pages each)
- Research statement for the visit – Research statements should explain the research project and list the mathematicians with whom the applicant will collaborate. The applicant must already have initiated research contact with the proposed international research partner(s). Evidence of prior collaboration will be considered a plus. The collaboration should take place at the international partner’s home institution.
- An official invitation from the institution of the international research partner
- Letter of recommendation – If the letter of recommendation is not written by the international research partner (the host), the application should include a statement from the host approving the research plan.
- A copy of the PhD certificate
- A statement about the current employment status/position in the home institution signed and stamped by employer. The statement should include the duration of employment. Please use the template attached.
- A budget estimation. Please, use the Tentative Budget Form. (for more information see ‘Financial Support’)
- A photograph of the applicant for the IMU website
- In case of a research visit longer than a month, applicants must attached proof of matching funds from the host institution to cover living expenses
Please merge all required documents into one (1) PDF file to be uploaded onto the Online Application Form.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
