Building Bridges in Mathematics: DFG and AIMS Launch Ongoing Collaboration Visits
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Germany’s central research funding organisation, has announced that proposals for the AIMS-DFG Collaboration Visits in the Mathematical Sciences can now be submitted at any time under its regular “Initiation of International Collaboration” programme. This development follows previous targeted calls and opens a continuous pathway for researchers in Germany and at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) centres to initiate joint projects.
The programme supports short-term visits of up to three months, either by German researchers travelling to one of the six AIMS centres in Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal or South Africa, or by researchers from African countries visiting host institutions in Germany. Scientific workshops are also eligible for funding. The initiative particularly encourages early-career researchers to build international networks in the mathematical sciences.
Background on the Partners and the Mathematical Sciences Landscape
The DFG funds basic research across all disciplines at universities and non-university research institutions in Germany. In the mathematical sciences, it supports projects ranging from pure theory to applied areas such as data science, cryptography and mathematical modelling for climate and health challenges. The AIMS network, established in 2003, operates centres that train African talent in mathematical sciences and foster research collaborations across the continent and beyond.
Previous joint calls between the two organisations demonstrated strong interest from both sides. The new open-call format removes fixed deadlines, allowing researchers to plan visits according to academic calendars and project needs. This flexibility aligns with broader trends in international research mobility, where sustained, trust-based partnerships often begin with modest, targeted exchanges.
Details of the Funding Modules
Three main modules are available and can be combined within a single proposal:
- Trips abroad for researchers based in the German research system to visit an AIMS centre (maximum three months).
- Guest visits to German universities by researchers from African countries, especially those in early career phases (maximum three months).
- Scientific workshops that bring together participants from both regions.
Funding covers travel, accommodation and related costs for up to 12 months after approval. Proposals must demonstrate clear potential for identifying joint research interests and future project ideas.
Eligibility and Application Process
Researchers who have completed their doctorate and are employed in the German research system may apply as the main applicant. They can either travel themselves or host a fellow from an AIMS centre. Fellows from Africa must hold a doctorate, be close to defending their thesis or demonstrate equivalent research activity, including at least one peer-reviewed publication listed in MathSciNet or zbMATH. A letter of invitation or support from the host institution or AIMS centre is required.
Applications are submitted exclusively through the DFG’s elan portal and are reviewed by the Mathematics review board. There are no fixed deadlines, enabling continuous submission. An information session is scheduled for 16 July 2026 to guide prospective applicants.
Photo by Brecht Corbeel on Unsplash
Emphasis on Early-Career Researchers and Equity
The call explicitly encourages participation from researchers in the early stages of their careers. For many postdoctoral researchers and junior faculty members in Germany, such visits provide rare opportunities to establish independent international profiles. Similarly, African researchers gain access to German research infrastructure and networks that can accelerate their trajectories.
The DFG’s commitment to equity and diversity is reflected in the call. Proposals from researchers of all genders, backgrounds and career stages are welcomed, with particular encouragement for female researchers in mathematics. Institutions are reminded of their responsibility to implement good research practice guidelines before funding can be disbursed.
Impact on German Higher Education Institutions
Universities and research institutes in Germany stand to benefit from expanded partnerships with AIMS centres. These collaborations can enrich teaching through guest lectures, joint supervision of students and access to diverse research perspectives. Mathematics departments, often seeking ways to internationalise their programmes, now have a dedicated, low-barrier mechanism to initiate such ties.
Administrators responsible for international offices and research support will find the programme aligns well with existing mobility schemes. The open-call nature reduces administrative burden compared with deadline-driven competitions, allowing institutions to respond quickly to emerging opportunities.
Perspectives from Stakeholders
German mathematicians have long sought deeper engagement with African research communities, where talent pools are growing rapidly. Early-career researchers in particular value the chance to co-develop projects rather than simply attending conferences. On the African side, AIMS alumni and faculty see the programme as a concrete step toward equitable North-South research partnerships that move beyond one-way knowledge transfer.
University leaders in both regions note that sustained collaboration visits often lead to larger joint grant applications, co-authored publications and student exchanges. The mathematical sciences, with their universal language and relatively low equipment costs, are especially well suited to this model of partnership.
Future Outlook and Career Implications
As global challenges in data science, artificial intelligence, climate modelling and epidemiology increasingly require cross-continental expertise, programmes like this position German and African researchers to contribute jointly. For PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers considering international careers, participation can strengthen CVs for competitive positions in both academia and industry.
The DFG’s decision to embed the initiative within its permanent “Initiation of International Collaboration” programme signals long-term commitment. Researchers and administrators are advised to monitor the elan portal and institutional research offices for updates on successful proposals and best-practice examples.
Practical Steps for Interested Researchers
Prospective applicants should first identify potential partners at an AIMS centre or a German institution. Drafting a concise concept note outlining shared research questions and expected outcomes is recommended before submitting the full proposal. Consultation with DFG programme officers listed on the announcement page can clarify eligibility and module combinations.
Institutions are encouraged to publicise the opportunity through departmental seminars and international offices. Early-career networks within mathematics societies in Germany and Africa can also serve as valuable channels for matchmaking.
Conclusion: A Model for Sustainable International Research
The AIMS-DFG Collaboration Visits represent a pragmatic, researcher-driven approach to internationalisation in the mathematical sciences. By removing deadlines and focusing on relationship-building, the programme lowers barriers while maintaining rigorous standards of scientific quality and good research practice. German higher-education institutions that engage actively stand to strengthen their global profiles and contribute to capacity building on the African continent.
Researchers interested in exploring this opportunity are invited to review the full details on the official DFG announcement and prepare proposals through the elan portal. The upcoming information session offers an excellent starting point for questions and networking.