IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program 2026 (Fully Funded)

The IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program is a prestigious PhD funding opportunity designed to support outstanding mathematics students from developing countries. Funded by world-renowned mathematicians who are winners of the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics, this fellowship is administered by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) through its Commission for Developing Countries (CDC).

The fellowship supports postgraduate studies leading to a PhD degree in mathematical sciences at recognized universities or research institutions in developing countries, including the applicant’s home country.

Degree Level

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Available Subjects

The fellowship is open to all fields of Mathematical Sciences, including but not limited to:

Pure Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Statistics
Mathematical Physics
Computational Mathematics

Benefits

Successful candidates will receive:

Up to USD 10,000 per year
Funding for up to 4 years or until PhD completion (whichever comes first)
Coverage for:
- Tuition fees
- Travel expenses to the host institution
- Accommodation
- Basic living expenses

Note: The fellowship cannot be combined with any other scholarship.

Eligible Nationalities

Open to citizens and residents of developing countries, as defined by the International Mathematical Union (IMU)

Eligibility Criteria

Requirements for Student Nominees

Applicants must:

Be enrolled (or pre-accepted) in a PhD program in a developing country
Be a citizen and resident of a developing country
Have an excellent academic record in mathematics
Possess a defined research project and a PhD supervisor
Demonstrate strong motivation for a career in mathematical research and teaching

Students enrolled in joint PhD programs with institutions in developed countries are not eligible.

Requirements for Nominators

Must be a university professor in mathematics with a PhD
Actively supervise Master’s or PhD students
Should preferably have previous mentoring experience with the nominee
Self-applications are not allowed

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted online by the nominator before the deadline.

Required Documents (PDF format, English only)

Nomination and Recommendation Letters

Letter of Nomination
Two Letters of Recommendation

Student Documents

Proposed Research Project
Motivation Letter and Future Plans
Academic CV
Official PhD (pre-)acceptance letter
Certified transcripts:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree

Supervisor Documents

CV of PhD Supervisor

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Selection and Continuation

Selection is conducted by the IMU CDC Breakout Selection Committee
Continued funding depends on satisfactory annual progress reports
Funding is subject to the IMU’s ability to legally transfer funds to the student’s personal bank account

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship fully funded?

Yes. The fellowship provides up to USD 10,000 per year, covering tuition, living expenses, housing, and travel for PhD students in developing countries.