Important: PhD students cannot apply, and the money is paid only to a university or institution, never to a personal bank account. The activity itself must take place in Africa.
The London Mathematical Society (LMS) runs the Mathematics in Africa Grant Scheme, which gives up to £2,000 to help mathematicians attend or organise conferences and workshops, or carry out research collaborations, anywhere in Africa. The next deadline is 22 January 2027, for activities starting from June 2027.
Deadline: 22 January 2027 (LMS does not state a time; send it a day early). Later rounds close on 15 May and 15 September each year.
Key Details
- Funder: London Mathematical Society, UK
- Grant: up to £2,000 (an upper limit, not a standard amount)
- Activities: attending or organising maths conferences or workshops, and maths research collaborations, held in Africa
- Who: mathematicians based anywhere in the world (not PhD students)
- Rounds: 22 January (decision February/March, earliest start June), 15 May (decision June, earliest start October), 15 September (decision October, earliest start February)
- Limit: one grant per scheme, per person, per LMS financial year (1 August – 31 July)
Benefits
- Up to £2,000 towards travel, accommodation and subsistence
- Visa costs count as normal travel expenses
- Caring costs for attendees with dependants can be covered
- Half the grant can be claimed in advance; the rest is paid after a satisfactory financial and academic report
- Grants remain valid for two LMS financial years
Eligibility
- You are a mathematician (lecturers, postdocs and researchers qualify; PhD students do not)
- The mathematical activity takes place in Africa
- Your institution can receive the funds on your behalf
- You apply well before the activity; LMS does not fund events retrospectively
- Conference and workshop organisers should follow LMS advice on diversity of speakers
How to Apply
- Read the scheme rules and guidance notes on the LMS Mathematics in Africa page.
- Download the application form (PDF) or the Word version.
- Describe the activity, its mathematical value and who benefits, and add a clear, itemised budget.
- Submit by 22 January 2027 for activities starting in June 2027 or later, following the instructions in the guidance notes.
- Questions go to the Grants Administrator at [email protected]. The LMS will discuss draft ideas informally.
Tips
- Use this to fund a regional workshop, such as a West African or East African number theory or applied maths meeting, where small sums cover many local participants.
- Ask for what you need, with real quotes for flights and rooms; £2,000 is a ceiling.
- Combine it with other small grants (for example from CIMPA, ICTP or your university) and explain the full budget.
- Plan your report: the second half of the money is paid only after you report.
- Applications are not considered between mid-June and mid-October, so plan around those months.
