Funding & Scholarships

Postdoctoral Fellowships

CoE-MaSS Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

General Eligibility Criteria for all Postdoctoral Fellowships:

• The CoE-MaSS has two Postdoctoral Fellowships available.  This call is only open to SOUTH AFRICA citizens.  Applicants who have Permanent Residence in South Africa are not eligible.
• Applicants cannot apply for a fellowship at the same institution, with the same supervisor as their PhD.  Applicants applying for a fellowship at the same institution as their PhD should preferably change departments, but should the supervisor/host not change, the application will not be considered. 
• Applicants must intend to undertake research at one of the South African public research institutions that form part of the CoE-MaSS network.
• Applicants’ research must fall within the Focus Areas supported by the CoE-MaSS.
• Applicants must have graduated with their doctoral degree within five (5) years of applying (applicants who graduated before July 2021 are therefore NOT ELIGIBLE).
• ​Applicants over the age of 38 years old are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be able to start their fellowship no later the 1 July 2026.  
• Please make certain that you read the FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT which contains important information.

Documentation that you will be required to Upload:

• Research project proposal​
• Copy of your ID
• Copy of your highest qualification
• If you are still completing your PhD, a letter of confirmation stating that you will be able to take up the fellowship no later than 1 July 2026
• Full academic transcripts of all previous degrees
• Letter of support from your proposed host

All applications will be reviewed by the CoE-MaSS Review Committee according to the “Scorecard for the Assessment of Proposals” (contained in the Framework Document) and then sent to the NRF for final adjudication. 

The value of the Postdoctoral Fellowship is R350,000 per year.  Fellowships may be awarded for two years dependent on the progress of the research.

Applications close on 30 April 2026.  No late applications will be accepted.
Decisions will be announced by the end of May 2026. 

To apply, complete the application form.

Research Project and Event Grants 

The Research Project and Event Grant call is currently closed. Visit this page regularly for updates.

IMSA Funding

The section below includes links to funding bodies and funding opportunities beyond what the Centre provides.

Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (IMSA) Grant Funding

The Institute for Mathematical Sciences and Applications (IMSA), a recently established partnership between the Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE‑MaSS) and the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (NGA(MaSS)), wishes to facilitate research collaborations involving early career mathematical scientists and next generation mathematical scientists at the member institutions of IMSA (CoE-MaSS/NGA(MaSS)). We aim to support up to twenty such research collaborations from a generous grant received from Investec.

GRANT CALL 1

Research-in-Teams

This grant is intended to encourage intense periods of research, meeting face-to-face for up to two weeks, involving early career* and/or next generation mathematical scientists*, collaborating on a well-defined research project or developing a research or grant proposal. These workshops could run alongside the annual conferences of the South African Mathematical Society or the South African Statistical Association. The expected outputs would be a research manuscript submitted for publication within 12 months of the research meeting; a fully-fledged research and postgraduate training programme; or a grant proposal submitted for funding. The participating next generation or early career mathematical scientists can apply for a grant of up to R15 000 to cover transport and accommodation.

(Next-generation mathematical scientists: not PhD holders but either an academic registered for a PhD or planning to register within the next 12 months;  Early career mathematical scientists: an academic below professorial level with a PhD and younger than 40 OR completed their PhDs within the last seven years.)

Please apply here.

GRANT CALL 2

Joint research and postgraduate training programme

A group of at least four, preferably more, early career mathematical scientists* can apply for a grant of up to R200 000 over three years to support activities to be undertaken within a joint research and postgraduate training programme. Activities to be funded would include joint workshops/meetings, mobility grants, hosting a prominent visitor from a local or overseas institution and running costs. The grant cannot be used to pay tuition fees for postgraduate students.

(Early career mathematical scientists: an academic below professorial level with a PhD and younger than 40 OR completed their PhDs within the last seven years.)

Please apply here.

GRANT CALL 3

Fostering international research collaborations

Existing collaboration networks are encouraged to explore international collaborations with research groups, or established researchers elsewhere, that share the same interests. It is envisaged that such collaborations will be jointly supported by funding agencies and donors in the home countries of such international collaborators. Early career mathematical scientists* contemplating initiating new or strengthening existing international collaboration should submit a Letter of Intent to Emeritus Professor Loyiso G. Nongxa at loyiso.nongxa@wits.ac.za / loyiso.nongxa@gmail.com and mathsci.imsa@wits.ac.za. Applicants can apply for a grant of up to R300 000 over three years and commensurate contributions from partners will be expected.

(Early career mathematical scientists: an academic below professorial level with a PhD and younger than 40 OR completed their PhDs within the last seven years.)

Conference/Workshop Organisation & Attendance Funding

Clay Mathematics Institute Enhancement & Partnership Program

The Clay Mathematics Institute aims to enhance  international mathematics that are already planned, particularly by funding international participation, especially by early career researchers.  This includes workshops and small conferences and events that involve early-career researchers, graduate summer schools  and Clay Lectures. Funding available for travel and collaborative activities.

Further information can be found on: https://www.claymath.org/funded-programs/enhancement-and-partnership

European Women in Mathematics Travel Grants

This programme provides travel grants to early-career women mathematicians or female mathematicians working in developing countries for travel to conferences and workshops. The grants are intended to cover travel and/or accommodation expenses, with a maximum of 600 EUR. The grants  are intended also to encourage networking and collaboration.

Further information can be found on: https://www.europeanwomeninmaths.org/activities/travel-grants 

Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences

Collaborates with AIMS and African universities. Contributions include:
– Workshops and summer schools in Africa
– Research in mathematical biology, algebra, and modelling.

https://www.fields.utoronto.ca/

IMU–CDC Conference Support Programme

The Commission for Developing Countries (CD) of the International Mathematical Union (IMU)  offers partial support to mathematical science-based conference and research schools organised in developing countries. This is meant to cover the travel and accommodation costs for invited speakers and participants from developing countries. The grant cannot support schools or activities which involve professional training.

Further information can be found on: https://www.mathunion.org/cdc/grants/conference-support-program/

London Mathematics Society Mathematics in Africa Grants

The objectives of the Mathematics in Africa grants are to provide partial support for mathematical activities based in Africa. These can include attendance at mathematical conferences or workshops, the organization of mathematical conferences or workshops and mathematical research collaborations. The maximum award is BPD2000 and covers travel, accommodation and subsistence. Supports math activities in Africa (conferences, schools).

Further information can be found on: https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/mathematics-in-africa

Mentoring African Research in Mathematics Partnership Grants (LMS)

Purpose: The MARM programme supports academic collaborations between mathematicians in non-African countries and their African counterparts and students.

Grants of up to £4,000 for visits, workshops, mentoring early career mathematicians in African countries, support for conference attendance, and joint PhD supervision.

Further information can be found on: https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/marm

OWSD–Elsevier Foundation Awards

The OWSD offers fellowships for women who have completed their PhDs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects and are employed at an academic or scientific research institute in science and technology lagging country. Early career fellows will be supported to establish an environment at their institution where they can maintain an international standard of research and attract scholars from all over the world to collaborate. The fellowship is a prestigious award of up to USD$50 000 and is for three years

Further information can be found on: https://elsevierfoundation.org/partnerships/diversity-in-stm/womenscientists/

Travel Grants Funding

Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP):

The ICTP’s Associates Programme enables individual scientists at different stages of their careers to maintain long-term formal contracts with ICTP scientific activities. The Associates Programme offers three categories of fellowships

• Juniors Associates who are promising young scientists up to the age of 35 at the time of application.
• Regular Associates between the ages of 35 and 45 at the time of application; and
• Senior Associates who are scientists with an international recognition for their work between the ages of 46 and 65 at the time of application.

Further information can be found on: https://www.ictp.it/home/associates-programme/

CIMPA Fellowships

CIMPA Fellowships are grants enabling young mathematicians based in developing countries to take part in thematic stays in research centres. These are exceptional opportunities to deepen one’s area of expertise and to experience research within the international community in excellent conditions. Successful applicants receive financial support including return travel costs, accommodation and a living allowance.

Further information can be found on: https://www.cimpa.info/en/node/64/

CIMPA-ICTP Fellowships – “Research-in-Pairs”

The CIMPA-ICTP “Research in Pairs” fellowships programme supports mathematicians from developing countries by funding their visits to Europe to collaborate with a colleague. The two researchers will work together on a well-defined research project, primarily at the European colleague’s institution in one of the following countries: Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. The maximum value of the grant is 10 000 EUR.

Further information can be found on: https://www.ictp.it/opportunity/call-cimpa-ictp-fellowships-2026-research-pairs

European Women in Mathematics Travel Grants

This programme provides travel grants to early-career women mathematicians or female mathematicians working in developing countries for travel to conferences and workshops. The grants are intended to cover travel and/or accommodation expenses, with a maximum of 600 EUR. The grants  are intended also to encourage networking and collaboration.

Further information can be found on: https://www.europeanwomeninmaths.org/activities/travel-grants/

IMU–CDC Research Travel Grants

The Commission for Developing Countries (CD) of the International Mathematical Union (IMU)  offers two distinguished programmes designed to support research visits. These enable mathematicians based in developing countries to foster and sustain international collaborations by visiting esteemed research institutions worldwide.

• Abel Visiting Scholars Programme: These are aimed at post-doctoral mathematicians under the age of 35 in the early stages of their professional career. The visit could be a one month-long visit to an internationally renowned mathematical institution. The maximum award is USD$5 000 and there are 3 calls per year. One grant award per call.
• IMU-Simons Research Fellowship Programme: These are aimed at post-doctoral mathematicians based in developing countries. Research visit of at least one month up to a maximum of three months at an internationally renowned mathematical institution. The maximum award is USD$15 000 for three months and there are 4 calls per year. Multiple grants awarded for each call.

Further information can be found on: https://www.mathunion.org/cdc/grants/research-travel-grants/

International Alliance of Research Universities Early-Career Collaboration Grants

Purpose: Provides up to US$5,000 for early-career faculty at IARU-member universities to visit another member institution for collaborative work.
Supports research visits, joint publications, and network-building.

Further information can be found on: https://iaru.ethz.ch/research-initiatives/early-career-collaboration-awards

Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences: Simons-Ramanujan Fellowships

The Simons-Ramanujan Fellowships are funded by the Simons Foundation and coordinated by the Isaac Newton Institute (INI). They support early career researchers from low- and medium-income countries to participate in INI programmes for one to three months, enabling them to engage with cutting-edge mathematical research in a world-class environment. Fellows receive travel allowance of up to BPD1200, per diem of BPD25 and accommodation support during their visit. Applications are due in mid-October.

Further information can be found on: https://www.newton.ac.uk/information/fellowships/simons-ramanujan-fellowships/

London Mathematical Society Joint Research and Travel Grants Scheme

The grant is aimed at supporting collaborative research visits, either by a UK-based grant holder to a developing country or by a mathematician from a developing country. For visits to the UK the maximum award is £3,000.

Further information can be found on: https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/

Mentoring African Research in Mathematics Partnership Grants (LMS)

Purpose: The MARM programme supports academic collaborations between mathematicians in non-African countries and their African counterparts and students.

Grants of up to £4,000 for visits, workshops, mentoring early career mathematicians in African countries, support for conference attendance, and joint PhD supervision.

Further information can be found on: https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/marm

Research Grants Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

The German Research Foundation is Germany’s main research funding agency and supports bilateral/multilateral research in areas such as pure mathematics, stochastic processes, and data science. Key programmes include:

• DFG Africa Initiative
• International Research Training Groups (IRTGs)
• Collaborative research in mathematical sciences

Further information can be found on: https://www.dfg.de/en/news/news-topics/announcements-proposals/international-context and https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/programmes/international-cooperation/initiation-international-collaboration

European Research Council Starting Grants

Researchers of any nationality within seven years of completing a PhD, with a scientific record showing great promise and an excellent research proposal are encouraged to apply. Starting Grants may be awarded up to 1.5 million EUR

Further information can be found on: https://erc.europa.eu/funding/starting-grants

Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences

Collaborates with AIMS and African universities. Contributions include:
– Workshops and summer schools in Africa
– Research in mathematical biology, algebra, and modelling.

https://www.fields.utoronto.ca/

Horizon Europe Africa Calls Search

Find Africa Initiative III calls related to mathematics and science.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-search;keywords=africa;programmeCode=HORIZON

Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) – Collaborative Research Grants

Supports international, interdisciplinary research projects including mathematical modeling in life sciences. HFSP Research Grants support innovative basic research into fundamental biological problems with emphasis placed on novel inter-disciplinary approaches.  Participation of scientists from disciplines outside the traditional life sciences such as computational biology, computer science, and mathematics is recommended. It also encourages collaboration among early-career scientists.

Further information can be found on: https://www.hfsp.org/funding/hfsp-funding/research-grants/ and https://www.nrf.ac.za/royal-society-international-collaboration-awards-call-for-applications/

London Mathematics Society Mathematics in Africa Grants

The objectives of the Mathematics in Africa grants are to provide partial support for mathematical activities based in Africa. These can include attendance at mathematical conferences or workshops, the organization of mathematical conferences or workshops and mathematical research collaborations. The maximum award is BPD2000 and covers travel, accommodation and subsistence. Supports math activities in Africa (conferences, schools).

Further information can be found on: https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/mathematics-in-africa

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

Supports international research collaborations with African institutions in mathematical sciences through:
– CREATE programme
– Discovery Grants
– Joint research in applied mathematics and modelling

https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/

OWSD Early Career Fellowship

The OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for early career women scientists recognize and celebrate early career women scientist from the Global South who are working on issues aligned with specific UN Sustainable Development Goals. The awardees receive international recognition, a cash prize and sponsorship to attend a prominent scientific conference in their field where they receive their awards and participate in networking and professional development opportunities.

Further information can be found on: https://owsd.net/career-development/early-career-women-scientists-ecws-fellowships

Royal Society Flair Fellowships

African Independent Research (FLAIR) Fellowships are for talented African early career researchers who have the potential to become leaders in their field. These fellowships provide the opportunity to build an independent research career in a sub-Saharan Africa institution and to undertake cutting-edge scientific research that will address global challenges facing developing countries. The scheme provides an award of up to BPD150 000 per year for two years and institutional overhead up to BPD15 000.

Further information can be found on: https://aasciences.africa/programmes/FLAIR

The Wellcome Trust Career Development Awards

These awards are made to mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to be international leaders. They will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work to deliver significant and developing methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools and techniques that could benefit health-related research (epidemiological modelling, biostatistics, mathematical modelling and simulation, etc.)

Further information can be found on: : https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes

The Wellcome Early-Career Awards

These awards are made to early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme. They will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work to deliver significant and developing methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools and techniques that could benefit health-related research (epidemiological modelling, biostatistics, mathematical modelling and simulation, etc.)

Further information can be found on: https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes

Collaboration Grants Funding

AIMS-DFG Collaboration Visits Programme in the Mathematical Sciences

The programme is aimed at supporting the initiation of international research collaboration between researchers from African countries and researchers at universities in Germany in mathematical sciences. Researchers in early career phases are particularly encouraged to submit proposals.

Further information can be found on: https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/programmes/

CIMPA-ICTP Fellowships – “Research-in-Pairs”

The CIMPA-ICTP “Research in Pairs” fellowships programme supports mathematicians from developing countries by funding their visits to Europe to collaborate with a colleague. The two researchers will work together on a well-defined research project, primarily at the European colleague’s institution in one of the following countries: Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. The maximum value of the grant is 10 000 EUR.

Further information can be found on: https://www.ictp.it/opportunity/call-cimpa-ictp-fellowships-2026-research-pairs

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)

Provides scholarships and exchange programmes for African students and researchers. Relevant initiatives include:
– DAAD In-Region/In-Country Scholarships (e.g. AIMS)
– Centres of African Excellence
– Joint PhD and postdoctoral programmes in mathematics and data science.

Further information can be found on:  https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/

Horizon Europe

Main EU R&I programme open to African collaboration. Includes Africa Initiative III for interdisciplinary research.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal

Horizon Europe – Africa Calls Search

Find Africa Initiative III calls related to mathematics and science.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-search;keywords=africa;programmeCode=HORIZON

International Alliance of Research Universities Early-Career Collaboration Grants

Purpose: Provides up to US$5,000 for early-career faculty at IARU-member universities to visit another member institution for collaborative work.
Supports research visits, joint publications, and network-building.

Further information can be found on: https://iaru.ethz.ch/research-initiatives/early-career-collaboration-awards

London Mathematical Society Joint Research and Travel Grants Scheme

The grant is aimed at supporting collaborative research visits, either by a UK-based grant holder to a developing country or by a mathematician from a developing country. For visits to the UK the maximum award is £3,000.

Further information can be found on: https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/

Mentoring African Research in Mathematics Partnership Grants (LMS)

Purpose: The MARM programme supports academic collaborations between mathematicians in non-African countries and their African counterparts and students.

Grants of up to £4,000 for visits, workshops, mentoring early career mathematicians in African countries, support for conference attendance, and joint PhD supervision.

Further information can be found on: https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/marm

Mitacs

Mitacs works at the nexus of academia, government and the public and private sectors in Canada. It supports international internships and research with African partners and has a partnership with the National Research Foundation providing mobility grants to NRF-funded PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. Focus areas include:
– Mathematical modelling and optimisation
– Computational finance and data science.

https://www.mitacs.ca/

National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (INRIA): Associate Teams Programme.

INRIA’s Associate Teams are joint research projects, normally at most three years long, which are co-led by an INRIA project-team in France and an international partner research team. The partners jointly define a clear scientific project, research plan, and bilateral exchange programme that includes workshops and researcher mobility. Annual funding generally up to 36 000 EUR and for partners outside Europe INRIA allocates up to 13 000 EUR for first and second years and 10 000 EUR for third year.

Further information can be found on: https://www.inria.fr/en/inria-project-teams-agile-and-open-model/

TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme

DFG, together with TWAS, funds young researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa for a 3-month stay at a research institution in Germany. Researchers from all disciplines can apply  within 5 years of completing their PhD and must be pursuing research at an institution in Africa.

Further information can be found on: https://twas.org/opportunity/twas-dfg-cooperation-visits-programme-ssa/

Postdoctoral Funding

EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships (UKRI)

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) mathematical sciences postdoctoral fellowship are aimed at  PhD holders and holders must be hosted or supported by an eligible UK research organization. The fellowship must focus on research where the majority of the research novelty lies within the EPSRC’s mathematical science remit.it can be held full-time or part-time and can be up to three years long. or experienced researchers in mathematical sciences.

Further information can be found on: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mathematical-sciences-postdoctoral-fellowship/

IMU-Simons Research Fellowship Programme

These are aimed at post-doctoral mathematicians based in developing countries. Research visit of at least one month up to a maximum of three months at an internationally renowned mathematical institution. The maximum award is USD$15 000 for three months and there are 4 calls per year. Multiple grants awarded for each call.

Further information can be found on: https://www.mathunion.org/cdc/grants/research-travel-grants/

Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships

Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships provides an opportunity to undertake a significant piece of publishable research for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic career, but with a proven record of research. The project put forward shouldn’t be a reworking or mere extension of the applicant’s doctoral research project. The awards are tenable for 3 years. The fellowships are worth up to BPD56 000 in year one and  up to BPD28 000 in years two and three and can be held at UK universities with research degree awarding powers.

Further information can be found on: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/early-career-fellowships/

Newton International Fellowships

This fellowship is for non-UK researchers who are at an early stage of their research career and wish to conduct research in the UK. The maximum award value will be BPD280 000 over two years.

Further information can be found on: https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/newton-international/

OWSD Early Career Fellowship

The OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for early career women scientists recognize and celebrate early career women scientist from the Global South who are working on issues aligned with specific UN Sustainable Development Goals. The awardees receive international recognition, a cash prize and sponsorship to attend a prominent scientific conference in their field where they receive their awards and participate in networking and professional development opportunities.

Further information can be found on: https://owsd.net/career-development/early-career-women-scientists-ecws-fellowships

Royal Society Flair Fellowships

African Independent Research (FLAIR) Fellowships are for talented African early career researchers who have the potential to become leaders in their field. These fellowships provide the opportunity to build an independent research career in a sub-Saharan Africa institution and to undertake cutting-edge scientific research that will address global challenges facing developing countries. The scheme provides an award of up to BPD150 000 per year for two years and institutional overhead up to BPD15 000.

Further information can be found on: https://aasciences.africa/programmes/FLAIR

The World Academy of Science (TWAS)

TWAS helps early career researchers to gain education and experience at top science institutions. It offers PhD-fellowships as well as post-doctoral fellowships. Through TWAS fellowships, scientists from developing countries who have recently earned their PhD can gain valuable experience working with prominent colleagues in other developing countries. Applications can be submitted only once the call for the programme of your choice is open.

Further information can be found on:  www.twas.org/opportunities