Young African Mathematicians (YAM) Fellowship Programme
The Young African Mathematicians Programme (YAM) is a collaboration between the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and four German Clusters of Excellence with a focus on mathematics. Mathematics Münster is an official member of the YAM Network Germany. The YAM Fellowship programme enables outstanding graduates of the AIMS Master's Programme to spend an academic year at a partner's research institution in Germany, immersing themselves in a rich and stimulating mathematical environment and working on their own research projects.
News
Meet our YAM Fellows 2024/2025
YAM Network Meeting in Münster (06/2024)
YAM Fellows give insights (05/2024, article for University of Münster's newspaper)
Meet our YAM Fellows 2023/2024
What is the goal?
The Young African Mathematicians Fellowship programme is dedicated to promoting young African mathematicians. Through this initiative, young, talented and highly motivated graduates of the AIMS Master Program receive fellowships to gain experience in a new research environment. Aligned with their mathematical interests, they conduct their own research project with the help of a mentor. This allows them to optimally prepare for the next step in their academic careers. By engaging in the research activities of the host institutions, participants not only expand their mathematical knowledge and skills but also strengthen their professional networks. Simultaneously, as a hosting institution, we benefit from the fresh perspectives and contributions of these talented individuals, solidifying our partnership with the AIMS and with our partners within the YAM Network Germany.
What does the fellowship consist of?
- a research visit of 10 months;
- attending courses and participating in seminars;
- working on a research project advised by a mentor;
- participating in two networking events of the YAM Network Germany (YAM Cohort Meet-Up in November/December and YAM Research Projects Showcase in May/June);
- a stipend covering travel, living and accommodation costs;
- personal and practical support from the large YAM support system (made up of advisors, YAM coordinators, peers, and staff of each graduate school).
How to apply?
Current AIMS students at a master’s level and recent graduates with a strong academic record and serious interest in mathematical research are eligible to apply to the YAM Fellowship Programme.
Applications should be submitted locally at the respective AIMS institute with an indication of the research area of interest.
As of 2023, the selection process consists of two steps:
- Step 1: Each AIMS center nominates 6 candidates – with a commitment to guarantee 50% of nominations from female applicants – and submits them to the YAM Programme institutions (Clusters of Excellence);
- Step 2: Each YAM host institution receives a shortlist of suitable candidates with an invitation to interview them and make a final decision.
Each Cluster can award up to three YAM Fellowships every year, and the selected YAM fellows can officially start their research experience by the beginning of the winter semester (October).
Who are the partners?
AIMS
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of centres of excellence for postgraduate training in the mathematical sciences. In the five centres in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Rwanda, AIMS educates promising students to flourish as independent thinkers, problem solvers and innovators capable of propelling Africa's future scientific, educational and economic self-sufficiency.
YAM Network Germany
The YAM Network Germany consists of four German Clusters of Excellence with a focus on mathematics: Berlin Mathematics Research Center MATH+ (Berlin), Hausdorff Center for Mathematics (Bonn), and Mathematics Münster (Münster). The Hausdorff Center for Mathematics coordinates the YAM Network.
Each institution in the YAM Network Germany hosts 2-4 YAM Fellows per year, chosen by a collaborative selection process. The partners take turns organising networking events, during which YAM Fellows from all partner institutions can meet, talk about their research, and create a community by sharing their experiences. In addition to two annual YAM Fellow Networking Events, the local YAM Teams from the four partner institutions meet once annually to discuss the development of the YAM Programme for future years.