Commission on Development and Exchanges

What is the CDE?

The CDE (Commission on Development and Exchanges of the International Mathematical Union) was established in 1978. The CDE aims to promote mathematics in developing and economically disadvantaged countries and to foster international cooperation to support this objective. The CDE presently runs two programs aimed at supporting mathematics and mathematicians in developing and economically disadvantaged countries.

One program applies to individuals in support of research visits by mathematicians based in developing and economically disadvantaged countries (by means of travel grants to partially cover the travel expenses); the other program gives partial support to conferences organized in developing and economically disadvantaged countries. The CDE's aims also include supporting research partnerships and in some cases longer term cooperations with regional centers.

Please use the on-line application form if possible. This facilitates circulation of your application to the members of the CDE and greatly diminishes response time. Thank you.

General Policy for Applications made by Individuals

The CDE accepts applications for support for research visits made by individual mathematicians with a Ph.D. or equivalent; the host institution should explicitly commit itself to supporting the local expenses.

Mathematicians from advanced countries are only eligible for CDE support for visits made to mathematical centers in developing countries.

The research visits should have a duration which allows profitable contacts and scientific cooperation (one month is a minimum).

Due to the limited funds at its disposal, the CDE has to make some a priori choices. The CDE does not support training visits (even for Ph.D. programs). The CDE does not award travel grants to attend conferences (even for invited speakers). The CDE does not grant travel support when local support is sufficient to cover both local and travel expenses (e.g. visiting professorship positions for more than 6 months). The CDE considers applications of mathematicians working in all areas of advanced mathematics.

Individuals should apply at least 4 months in advance. You are encouraged to apply online, but if this is not possible, applications may be mailed or faxed to the Administrative Secretary. The application should contain:

• Bio-data including a list of publications (curriculum vitae) (max. 4 pages)
• A research program with details on expected interaction with local mathematicians, Ph.D. students, etc.
• A copy of the letter of invitation from the host institution mentioning explicitly how local expenses will be supported (by host institution, by a fellowship, etc.).

General Policy for Support to Conferences

Conferences in developing countries: The CDE supports conferences organized in developing countries and which are a priori open to any working mathematician whatever his or her nationality. Conferences should address a regional audience and not only a national one; they should benefit mathematicians from the neighboring countries as well. The funds awarded by the CDE are for academic use only (travel or living expenses of invited speakers or those of participants coming from developing countries). The CDE only considers conferences at the research level and, due to lack of funds, cannot support schools or activities which are mainly concerned with professional training.

The CDE should not be expected to provide the main share of financial support; an overall conference budget should be included with the application. CDE support to conferences will be on a sliding scale based on mathematical quality and impact as well as alternative sources. When granted, CDE support will normally be in the range of USD 1000 - 3000, depending on the Commission's evaluation of the application and budget constraints.

Conferences in developed countries: The CDE conference support program also supports a few major international conferences occurring in developed countries. Although the same application form is to be used, the application has two additional requirements:

• Moneys sought from CDE should only be used to support conference participation by mathematicians from developing countries
• Conference organizers are required to demonstrate that they will match the funds requested from CDE with an equal amount from other sources which is also dedicated to supporting conference participation by mathematicians from developing countries

• A detailed scientific program (including organization of the conference: plenary lectures, parallel sessions, etc.)
• A list of invited speakers (specifically those who have accepted to attend the conference: Name-University-Country)
• Details on the relevance of the conference for neighboring countries and on the participation of the mathematicians thereof
• A projected budget
• A list of supporting organizations (with amount of support) and the total budget of the conference
• The amount of support being requested from the CDE and a statement on the intended use of this support
• Curriculum vitae of chief conference organizer(s) (max. 4 pages)