IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program

 Deadline Date: May 31, 2025

 Grant Size: $1000 to $10,000

The International Mathematical Union is requesting applications for its Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program to support postgraduate studies, in a developing country, leading to a PhD degree in the mathematical sciences.

The IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowships offers a limited number of grants for excellent students from developing countries.

Professional mathematicians are invited to nominate highly motivated and mathematically talented students from developing countries who plan to complete a doctoral degree in a developing country, including their own home country. Nominees must have a consistently good academic record and must be seriously interested in pursuing a career of research and teaching in mathematics.

Funding Information

• The awarded grant is limited to a maximum of US$10,000 per year.
• Duration: Students can be funded for up to 4 years or until the student completes the PhD program (whichever comes first).

Eligible Costs

• The stipend may be used to cover the following costs for graduate research assistants:
  • Tuition Fees
  • Travel Expenses to Institution of Study
  • Housing
  • Basic living expenses

Eligibility Criteria

• Requirements for Nominators:
  • Nominators must meet the following criteria:
    • Be a university professor in mathematics with a PhD, based at a university or research center
    • Be currently supervising mathematics Master’s or PhD students.
    • Individual PhD candidates cannot apply themselves for the fellowship.
    • It is advisable that the nominator has mentored the nominee previously.
• Requirements for Student Nominees:
  • Students nominated under this program must:
    • Demonstrate an outstanding academic track record in mathematical sciences and aspire to a career in mathematical teaching and research.
    • Be a citizen of and resident in one of the developing countries as defined by the IMU.
    • Have already been accepted (or pre-accepted) into a recognized doctoral program.
    • Have a thesis advisor and a research project.
    • Be undertaking their PhD in either a recognized university or a research institution in one of the developing countries as defined by the IMU. 

Application Requirements

• The following documents must be uploaded as part of the application by the application deadline:
  • Letters of Nominations and Recommendations:
    • Letter of Nomination
    • Letters of Recommendation (2)
  • Student Documents:
    • Proposed Research Project
    • Letter of Motivation and Future Plans
    • CV of Student Nominee
    • Official letter of (pre-)acceptance in the PhD program
    • Transcripts of coursework (certified copies):
      • BSc degree or equivalent
      • MSc degree or equivalent
  • PhD Supervisor Documents:
    • PhD Supervisor CV 

For more information, visit International Mathematical Union.