IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program

Thanks to a generous donation by the winners of the Breakthrough Prizes in Mathematics, the International Mathematical Union, with the assistance of FIMU, maintains a 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.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineMay 30, 2026
• ValueUS$10,000 per year
• Study LevelMasters , Undergraduate
• SponsorInternational Mathematical Union
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Amount of Support

• The awarded grant is limited to a maximum of US$10,000 per year

The stipend may be used to cover the following costs:

• Tuition Fees
• Travel Expenses to Institution of Study
• Housing
• Basic living expenses

Duration of Support

• Students can be funded for up to 4 years
• or until the student completes the PhD program (whichever comes first)

Note:

• Continued support is contingent upon satisfactory progress as documented in the annual reports.
• Receipt of the Breakout grant is subject to the IMU's ability to legally transfer funds to the grantee's personal bank account.
• The fellowship is incompatible with any other scholarship.

Requirements

Students nominated under this program must:

• Be undertaking their PhD in either a recognized university or a research institution in one of the developing countries as defined by the IMU. 
• 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

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

Selection Process

• The Breakout Selection Committee consists of the CDC Secretary for Policy as Chair and has four other members, three from CDC and one independent member, representing South America, Africa, and Europe respectively.

Application Documents

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)
  • A) BSc degree or equivalent
  • B) MSc degree or equivalent

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Applications are made via the Online Portal.

For more information, kindly visit the IMU webpage.