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.
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.
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.
$107K
$902K
$47K
$121K
Most grants fall between $43K and $119K, with a median of $63K.
25th Percentile
$43K
Median
$63K
75th Percentile
$119K
About 33% of grants go to recipients in MA.
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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Highly concentrated giving: a small number of large grants (including multi-grant support to the IMU and a major award fund) with repeat funding to core international organizations and targeted investments in a few flagship education programs.
Notable grantees: International Mathematical Union, Chern Medal, The Art of Problem Solving Initiative, The Promys Foundation, Harvard University (Scholars at Risk Program)
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $42,500, a median of $62,500, and a p75 of $119,228. The recent record includes both large program grants and smaller support awards, which suggests a mixed approach to funding. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations, and its active fellowship programs include both unsolicited and non-unsolicited paths. Recipients can appear across multiple years: the International Mathematical Union received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating recurring support rather than isolated one-time gifts.
Giving is regional and reaches both U.S. and international recipients. The top state by grant count is Texas, driven by the Chern Medal in Houston and other U.S.-based recipients in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Berlin appears as a recurring non-U.S. recipient location through the International Mathematical Union. Overall, 33% of grants went to recipients in Rhode Island, even though the foundation’s headquarters are in Providence.
Its grants support mathematics research, postgraduate education, scholarships, volunteer lectures, and research capacity in developing countries. Recent awards also show support for math circles and advanced training programs, alongside recognition of major mathematical achievement through the Chern Medal.
Yes. The International Mathematical Union received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with amounts of $132,420, $114,830, and $106,970. That pattern shows multi-year support rather than only one-off grants.
The grant-size distribution centers in the mid-five figures. The p25 is $42,500, the median is $62,500, and the p75 is $119,228. Recent grants range from $5,000 to $340,000, showing both modest support awards and larger program commitments.
The foundation gives regionally, with the highest grant count in Texas. Recent recipients also include organizations in Berlin, New York, Cambridge, Boston, Houston, Providence, and across the United States and Germany.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and the grant record includes achievement awards for individual mathematicians through the Chern Medal. It also supports postgraduate students through fellowship programs for students from developing countries.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 3 |
| $354K |
33.3% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Mathematical Union | Berlin | $106,970 | 2025 | support, volunteer lectures, fellowship, research, postgraduate studies, postgraduate education, scholarships and research in developing countries |
| International Mathematical Union | Berlin | $114,830 | 2024 | support, volunteer lectures, fellowship, research, postgraduate studies, postgraduate education, scholarships and research in developing countries |
| The Art of Problem Solving Initiative | NY, NY | $75,000 | 2024 | Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | Scholars at Risk Program |
| The Promys Foundation | Boston, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | Promys Math Circle |
| The Global Math Circle | Providence, RI | $20,000 | 2024 | Program Support |
| Literacy Movement 4 More | Providence, RI | $5,000 | 2024 | Program Support |
| Chern Medal | Houston, TX | $340,000 | 2023 | Achievement awards (individual mathematician) and organizational awards (to support research and education for underserved mathematicians worldwide) |
| International Mathematical Union | Berlin | $132,420 | 2023 | support, volunteer lectures, fellowship, research, postgraduate studies, postgraduate education, scholarships and research in developing countries |
International Mathematical Union
$106,970support, volunteer lectures, fellowship, research, postgraduate studies, postgraduate education, scholarships and research in developing countries
International Mathematical Union
$114,830support, volunteer lectures, fellowship, research, postgraduate studies, postgraduate education, scholarships and research in developing countries
The Art of Problem Solving Initiative
$75,000Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics
Harvard University
$50,000Scholars at Risk Program
The Global Math Circle
Program Support
Literacy Movement 4 More
$5,000Program Support
Chern Medal
$340,000Achievement awards (individual mathematician) and organizational awards (to support research and education for underserved mathematicians worldwide)
International Mathematical Union
$132,420support, volunteer lectures, fellowship, research, postgraduate studies, postgraduate education, scholarships and research in developing countries