AIMS-DFG Collaboration Visits in the Mathematical Sciences
In the preceding years, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) published calls to support the initiation of international research collaboration between researchers from African countries and researchers at universities in Germany in the mathematical sciences.
The DFG and AIMS are pleased to announce that researchers interested in establishing scientific collaborations between the wider research communities in the mathematical sciences in Africa and Germany are invited to submit proposals under the regular DFG funding programme “Initiation of International Collaboration” at any time. This serves as a follow-up to the earlier calls with deadlines.
This funding programme enables participating researchers to identify joint research interests and project ideas. This applies in particular to the field of mathematical sciences. Researchers in early career phases are particularly encouraged to submit proposals.
Funding Mechanism
The purpose of this information is to draw attention to the programme “Initiation of International Collaboration”. Under this programme, applicants interested in establishing collaborative scientific relations with partners abroad may apply for funding for trips abroad or guest visits, for example.
For the purpose of collaboration with an AIMS centre:
“Applicants” are researchers in the German research system who apply for funding based on the available modules (see below),
“Fellows” are researchers whose collaboration visits are funded from a grant under this programme.
The following modules are available and may be combined:
- Trips abroad to one of the six AIMS centres (in Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal or South Africa) undertaken by researchers in the German research system (max. three months)
- Guest visits to universities in Germany undertaken by researchers (notably those in early career phases) from African countries (max. three months)
- Scientific Workshops
The funding remains available for a maximum of 12 months after the approval date: individual collaborative measures must be carried out within this time frame.
Eligibility
Applicants: researchers who have obtained their doctorates and who are working in the German research system may apply. Special rules apply to members of non-university research institutions. For further details, please consult the “Guidelines on the Duty to Cooperate” ((interner Link)).
Applicants from Germany visiting an AIMS centre:
- must be working in the German research system;
- must fulfil the DFG eligibility requirements;
- can apply to visit an AIMS centre themselves;
- must submit a letter of invitation from a host researcher at an AIMS centre.
Fellows from Africa visiting a host institution in Germany:
- can receive funding for their guest visit through an applicant in Germany;
- must have obtained their doctorate, be on track to defend their thesis or show proof of research activity. Candidates must have published at least one scientific article in a peer-reviewed journal listed on Math-SciNet or zbMath, for example;
- require a letter of support from an AIMS centre.
Applicants may apply either to undertake a collaboration visit to an AIMS centre themselves or for a fellow from Africa to visit the applicant’s institution.
Application
Proposals can be submitted at any time and are to be submitted solely via the (externer Link) in order to ensure proposal-related data is recorded and documents are securely transmitted. Please submit proposals related to AIMS centres to the DFG’s review board “Mathematics” (Fachkollegium 3.31 Mathematik).
Proposals can only be submitted by researchers from Germany. Researchers from African countries act as collaboration partners and can receive DFG funding through their German collaboration partners.
When preparing your proposal, please refer to the “Guidelines on Proposals for Grants to Support the Initiation of International Collaboration” ((interner Link)).
If this is the first time you are submitting a proposal to the DFG, please note that you must register in the elan portal before you can submit your proposal.
There will be an information session on 16 July 2026 at 11:00–12:00 h Ghana Time /13:00–14:00 h Rwanda time/German time. If you would like to participate, please use the following Teams link or the meeting ID to join the meeting (pre-registration is not required): (externer Link)
Equity and Diversity
The DFG strongly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological or social backgrounds, from different career stages, types of universities and research institutions, and with disabilities or chronic illness. With regard to the subject-specific focus of this call, the DFG encourages female researchers in particular to submit proposals.
Good Research Practice
According to a resolution of the DFG General Assembly, DFG funding may only be awarded to research institutions that have implemented the guidelines laid down in the (externer Link) in their own regulations. The management of your institution is responsible for implementing the guidelines in a legally binding manner. In order to avoid delays in the disbursement of funding, please verify implementation within your institution in good time. For information regarding the implementation, please refer to the (externer Link). If you have any questions on this subject, please contact the (externer Link) at the DFG Head Office.
With the submission of the proposal the applicants and fellows involved agree that DFG shares all necessary information with AIMS after the call deadline.
Further Information
Please find general information for German applicants on the “Initiation of International Collaboration” programme (interner Link).
(interner Link) “Guidelines on the Duty to Cooperate”
When submitting proposals, please use the (externer Link) and refer to the respective guidelines “Guidelines on Proposals for Grants to Support the Initiation of International Collaboration” ((interner Link)). The (interner Link) may also be helpful.
DFG’s data protection notice on research funding:
As part of the assessment procedure, the necessary personal data must be exchanged between the organisations involved. This requires the transfer of personal data between AIMS and DFG. Further information can be found in the data protection notices of the respective organisations. If necessary, please also forward this information to those persons whose data the DFG processes because they are involved in your project.
Contact Persons at the DFG Head Office
Programme contacts at the Group Mathematics and Engineering Sciences 2:
(externer Link), phone +49 228 885 2063
(externer Link), phone +49 228 885 2567
(externer Link), phone +49 228 885 2933
Administrative contact:
(externer Link), International Affairs, phone +49 228 885 3045