Friends of the International Mathematical Union
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About Friends of the International Mathematical Union
Friends of the International Mathematical Union concentrates on advancing mathematics globally by funding research, fellowships and postgraduate support for mathematicians in developing countries, high-profile achievement awards, and elite math training for talented youth. Their grants blend support for international scholarly infrastructure (through the IMU and awards like the Chern Medal) with investments in pipeline programs that prepare and nurture promising students in problem-solving and advanced mathematics.
Focus Areas
Support for international mathematical research and postgraduate fellowships in developing countriesFunding of major international mathematics awards and prizes (e.g., Chern Medal)Advanced secondary-school math training and talent-development programs (e.g., PROMYS, AoPS)Protection and support for at-risk scholars in academia (e.g., Scholars at Risk partnerships)
Who They Fund
individual mathematicians (achievement award recipients)underserved mathematicians worldwidepostgraduate students in mathematics
About Friends of the International Mathematical Union
Friends of the International Mathematical Union centers its giving on mathematics research, postgraduate training, and recognition for achievement. The largest recent grant, $340,000 in 2023, went to the Chern Medal, a quadrennial award presented at the International Congress of Mathematicians. That grant reflects a pattern of supporting international scholarly infrastructure alongside direct investments in people preparing for advanced work in mathematics. The foundation also backed the International Mathematical Union in Berlin with grants of $132,420 in 2023, $114,830 in 2024, and $106,970 in 2025, tying its support to fellowships, volunteer lectures, research, postgraduate studies, and scholarships for students in developing countries. In the same period, it funded postgraduate and talent-development pathways through groups such as The Art of Problem Solving Initiative, The Promys Foundation, and The Global Math Circle. Individual mathematicians, postgraduate students, and organizations working in mathematics all appear in its grant record. Across the recent record, the foundation combines awards, program support, and fellowship funding rather than a single grantmaking model. Its priorities consistently connect advanced mathematical research with the pipeline that prepares students for graduate study and research careers.
What Friends of the International Mathematical Union Funds
One clear theme is support for postgraduate mathematics in developing countries. In 2024, Friends of the International Mathematical Union gave $50,000 to Harvard University for the Scholars at Risk Program, linking its funding to protection and support for threatened or displaced academics. Another thread is advanced math training for younger students. The foundation awarded $75,000 to The Art of Problem Solving Initiative for Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics, and $50,000 to The Promys Foundation for Promys Math Circle. Those grants point to a pipeline strategy that starts before graduate school. The foundation also supports mathematical research capacity and international coordination. Its grants to the International Mathematical Union were used for support, volunteer lectures, fellowship, research, postgraduate studies, postgraduate education, scholarships, and research in developing countries. It also funds programs serving emerging research groups in Priority 1 or 2 developing countries through GRAID.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$107K
Total Assets
$902K
Total Revenue
$47K
Total Expenses
$121K
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $43K and $119K, with a median of $63K.
25th Percentile
$43K
Median
$63K
75th Percentile
$119K
Geographic Reach
Regional4 states funded
About 33% of grants go to recipients in MA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Friends of the International Mathematical Union Funds
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Friends of the International Mathematical Union.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 6 | $540K | 66.7% |
| 2 |
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