The Simons Foundation’s Division for Mathematics and the Physical Sciences invites applications for grants to mathematicians primarily for collaboration and travel.

Collaboration Grants Awardees | FAQ | Application Instructions

Rationale: The goal of the program is to support the “mathematical marketplace” by substantially increasing collaborative contacts in the community of mathematicians working in the United States. The foundation will make a large number of grants to accomplished, active researchers who do not otherwise have access to substantial research funding that supports travel and visitors.

Level and Duration of Funding: A Collaboration Grant will be $7,000 per year for five years. The foundation will award $5,000 per year for collaboration, travel and research expenses, plus $1,000 per year in discretionary funds for the awardee’s department to enhance the research atmosphere within the department. The Simons Foundation will also pay $1,000 per year in indirect costs to the awardee’s institution. The five-year grant will commence September 1, 2013, and end August 31, 2018.

Allowable Expenses:

1. An amount of $5,000 per year to the awardee. Eligible expenses in this category are:
   

   •Scientific travel by the awardee, the awardee’s graduate students and other members of the awardee’s department (at the discretion of the awardee). Travel expenses may include direct travel expenses (economy class) and related per diem expenses at standard government rates. International travel is permitted.

   •The expense of scientific visits to the awardee’s home institution by the awardee’s collaborators and other scientific visitors of interest to the awardee. The funds can support direct travel expenses (economy class) and per diem expenses at standard government rates. International travel is permitted.

   •Up to $1,000 per year in other research expenses, such as computers, computer support, publication expenses, stationery, supplies and books.

2. An amount of $1,000 per year to the awardee’s department to enhance the research atmosphere of the department. Eligible expenses in this category include support for departmental colloquia and seminars, as well as teas and other research-related amenities. These funds may also be used to help pay for research equipment and infrastructure, such as copiers, computer servers and computer support. Funds will be expended at the discretion of the department chair.
3. An amount of $1,000 per year in indirect costs to the institution.

These grants may not be used for salary or teaching buyouts, whether for the awardee or for others. Only travel between September 1, 2013, and August 31, 2018, will be covered by this grant; however, expenses incurred before September 1, 2013, for travel during the budget period are permissible.

Annual Report: An annual report is due no later than October 31of each year and must be signed by an institutional officer. It must include:

1. A summary of the activities supported by the grant for the prior year, including expenditures for each activity.
2. A list of all papers submitted or published by the awardee.
3. Current and pending support of the awardee.

Awardees will be granted access to proposalCENTRAL, the foundation’s online portal for submitting applications. Payments will be delayed if annual reports are not received within 30 days beyond the due date.

Unspent Funds: Any funds not spent in one year of the grant may be spent in subsequent years without prior approval, but unspent funds at the end of the five years must be returned to the foundation unless express permission is obtained for a specified future use.

Payment: Payments to institutions will be disbursed annually.

Other Support: Collaboration Grant awardees may not hold any other grants of over $3,000 per year that allow for support for travel or visitors during the Collaboration Grant award period. Awardees are obligated to inform the foundation if they receive any such funding during their Collaboration Grant. If this occurs, their Collaboration Grant will be terminated at the end of the current year (August 31). Awardees may retain all funds paid toward the grant to date, but any residual funds must be used to support the collaboration and travel of others. A final report is due by October 31 of the termination year. This report should include an acknowledgment of the additional funding. An awardee may apply for another Collaboration Grant for the period after the completion of the previous grant.

Termination of Funding: The Collaboration Grant will be terminated if the awardee receives significant sources of funding, as outlined above in the ‘Other Support’ section.

Basis for Awards: A selection committee of distinguished scientists will consider the applications. Awards will be based on the quality of the applicant’s previous research, as outlined in the Statement of Recent Work. The committee will also consider the likely impact that the Collaboration Grant will have on future research, both for the applicant and the applicant’s graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows.

Number of awards: The foundation anticipates making up to 140 awards per year.

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply, an individual must:

• Have a tenure-track or tenured position, or be a professor emeritus, at a U.S. institution of higher education.
• Have a current record of active research and publication in high-quality journals.
•Not hold any other grants of over $3,000 per year that allow for support for travel or visitors during the Collaboration Grant award period.

There are no citizenship requirements. For-profit organizations may not apply

How to Apply: Applicants may apply through proposalCENTRAL (http://proposalcentral.altum.com/default.asp?GMID=50) beginning September 15, 2012. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2013. Please coordinate submission of the proposal with the appropriate officials in accordance with institution/university policies. Please see the ‘Application Requirements’ below for further information.

Application Requirements:

1. Statement of Recent Work: A statement explaining the applicant’s most significant work completed in the previous five years (2-page limit). While unpublished work may be included in the summary, at least some of the work must already have appeared or be accepted in high-quality refereed publications. References do not need to be included within the page limit but should not exceed an additional page.
2. Statement of Travel/Invitation Goals: A statement explaining travel/invitation goals for the first year of the Collaboration Grant (1-page limit).
3. A curriculum vitae, which includes Ph.D. year, institution and advisor, and positions held (2-page limit, applicant only).
4. A list of up to five publications from the previous five years, and up to five additional publications.
5. A list of colloquia, research seminars and talks at research conferences that the applicant has given within the past five years (1-page limit).
6. A list of current or recent (past five years) Ph.D. students, including their dissertation topics and likely date of completion.
7. A list of current or recent postdoctoral fellows supervised.
8. A list of current and pending support (must include an institutional signature verifying that the applicant does and will not hold any other grants of over $3,000 per year that include support for travel or visitors during the Collaboration Grant award period).

Funding decisions will be announced by July 1, 2013, and funding will begin on September 1, 2013.

Important Dates:

For further information:

•Collaboration Grant for Mathematicians FAQs and Application Instructions
•Mathematics & Physical Sciences Policies & Procedures

Contact information:
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Elizabeth Roy
Program Manager
Mathematics and the Physical Sciences
212-524-6966
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Download the Collaboration Grant for Mathematicians RFA here.