The aim of the initiative is to familiarise and connect the wider research communities in the mathematical sciences in Africa and Germany with each other and support their internationalisation. The initiative enables participating researchers to identify joint research interests in the field of mathematical sciences and initiate joint project ideas.
This call is based on the DFG funding 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. Two different modules are available: Trips abroad to one of the six AIMS centres (Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal or South Africa) undertaken by researchers in the German research system and guest visits to Germany undertaken by researchers in early career phases from African countries. The focus of this programme is to facilitate collaboration visits.
The focus of this programme is to facilitate collaboration visits. However, the funding of scientific workshops can be granted in exceptional cases.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.
Researchers who have obtained their doctorates and who are working in the German research system may apply. 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.
Proposals must be submitted in English by 30 September 2025. 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. You must do so by 23 September 2025. You will normally receive confirmation of your registration by the next working day.
