At CIMPA, we are fully committed to supporting research in mathematics with developing countries through concrete actions.
With its scientific expertise, CIMPA is much more than just a sponsor, helping to set up and organise activities. Its almost 50-year commitment to colleagues in the field has earned it the trust of a large number of institutions and governments.
Thanks to the support of the entire mathematics community, we have a lasting impact on research training. In particular, every year our volunteers give several thousand hours of teaching in developing countries.
Our Actions
At CIMPA, our actions aim to strengthen scientific capacity in developing regions. By supporting training, encouraging collaborative research and facilitating access to international opportunities, we open the doors of mathematical knowledge to the whole world.
To do this, we have the tools presented below. These are sometimes combined to support the development of a research training programme over several years. We invite you to read the testimonials below.
The CIMPA schools offer intensive high-level training in developing regions, focusing on contemporary mathematical topics. Each school offers a series of scientific activities led by recognised specialists, enabling participants to broaden their knowledge and academic network and acquire essential practical and theoretical skills.
Since 1978, thousands of young researchers have benefited from our schools to further their scientific careers. The list of countries can be found here. It is also possible to browse the map to find more information.
Want to find out more? If you'd like to organise an event like this, you'll find all the information you need on this page. If you'd like to take part, this is the place to do it!
CIMPA courses offer targeted, in-depth training at Master's or higher level, tailored to local needs. These sessions enable researchers and students to complete their training locally or to prepare for a CIMPA school. They also encourage interaction between local mathematicians and international experts, strengthening the academic network.
Want to find out more? See how to organise a CIMPA course on this page.
CIMPA Fellowships fund young researchers from developing countries to take part in thematic programmes lasting from 1 to 3 months in partner research institutes located mainly in CIMPA member countries. These are exceptional opportunities to deepen one's field of expertise and to experience research within the international community under excellent living conditions.
Between 2017 and 2025, more than 100 laureates have benefited from these programmes!
Want to find out more? See our page dedicated to these programmes.
The CIMPA-ICTP ‘Research in Pairs’ fellowship programme enables mathematics researchers from developing countries to travel to Europe to collaborate with a colleague on a research project. These visits provide a ‘breath of fresh air’ for colleagues with heavy teaching and administrative loads, or who do not often have the opportunity to meet their international colleagues.
Since 2021, some 50 researchers have benefited from this programme.
Want to find out more? All the information on the annual call is on this page.
Our Philosophy
All our actions are guided by a strong commitment to the international scientific community. We firmly believe that access to mathematical research should be fair and open to as many people as possible, so that creativity can express itself freely and to the full for the benefit of all humanity.
At CIMPA, we promote equitable access to mathematical research for all. This means a number of things:
financial participation: the evaluation of financial support is conditioned by several factors, among which the level of economic development plays an important role. Based on the IMU-CDC ranking, we give a larger grant to the poorest countries.
Geographical representation on our governing bodies: CIMPA is very proud to have members from every continent at all levels of the association (Governing Board, Scientific Council, Steering Council).
Gender diversity: in many countries, mathematics suffers from a gender imbalance that perpetuates stereotypes, very often to the detriment of women's commitment to scientific careers. To combat this trend, we require our schools to have a minimum of 30% of each sex on the organising committee and the teaching team. A great deal of attention is also paid to the selection of our laureates, and we have, for example, 40% women among our CIMPA fellowship laureates.
We are committed to supporting initiatives and projects of high scientific quality. For example, CIMPA school projects are based on very detailed specifications, and are evaluated by two successive committees made up of scientific experts in the field of the school and the region concerned. During the event, a scientific officer appointed by CIMPA reports on the quality of the organisation and teaching.
Our events are fortunate to be able to count on volunteer colleagues who are leaders in their field of research.
The development of mathematical research in developing countries requires the coordination of all available forces. CIMPA works closely with learned societies and other agencies responsible for promoting mathematical research in developing countries.
With other continental organizations, we also support schools in partnership to prepare students for more advanced activities.
Finally, we are developing specific agreements to provide long-term support for certain masters programs.
CIMPA offers total transparency in its operations. Each activity is the subject of a detailed report that can be consulted by CIMPA members, and we publish annual reports summarising our actions and budget. The accounts are drawn up each year by a chartered accountant and certified by an auditor.
What sets us apart
CIMPA distinguishes itself from other organisations through its unique approach:
At the heart of what we do is a deep understanding of local realities. The individual members of the various CIMPA bodies are mathematicians from all over the world. This enables us to develop activities that respond precisely to the needs of students and colleagues in developing countries.
We also cultivate this local knowledge thanks to our scientific officers, who provide personalised support throughout the projects. Thanks to their expertise and involvement on the ground, we can constantly update our information on the state of research in the countries where we operate and enrich our networks of collaborators.
With over 40 years' experience, CIMPA enjoys a high profile and the confidence of many scientists and international organisations. Our activities are disseminated through a network of over 10,000 contacts.
Testimonials and Impact
In almost 50 years, CIMPA has had a considerable influence on the careers of many mathematicians. It is always moving to meet colleagues in the countries where we operate who recall the importance that CIMPA schools have had in their careers. We invite you to visit this page for recent testimonials from school participants or our YouTube channel, where you can find interviews with CIMPA-ICTP Research in Pairs laureates.
Within the limits of its resources, CIMPA has also implemented support programmes in collaboration with French institutes, governments and embassies in developing countries. Examples include Cambodia, Nepal, Iraq, Paraguay, Pakistan, Mongolia and, more recently, Ethiopia, Chad and Vietnam. Information on the oldest programmes is provided in this document (in French). As an example from recent years, since its creation, CIMPA has supported the MISSA Master's programme in N'Djamena by helping to bring in professors to teach the course, financing CIMPA schools in Chad and providing financial assistance to students to meet with their supervisors abroad. In 2025, 118 students benefited from the courses and 10 defended their theses. They will gradually be able to take over the courses from external lecturers.
PhD thesis of Djimramadji Hippolyte under the supervision of Patrick Tchepmo
Come and join us!
Would you like to get involved or support our mission? Find out how you can join us or contribute.
The “I apply” tab allows you to register as a participant in activities organized or supported by CIMPA.
The “I organize” tab gives you access to calls to organize events supported by CIMPA.
