Travel Support for Mathematicians – 2027 Request for Applications: FAQs

Yes, all areas are eligible, as long as the applicant has a full-time tenure-track or tenured appointment in a mathematics department with a Ph.D. degree granting program; however, one would not be eligible if one has an appointment solely in a statistics department.

No, mathematicians employed in departments without a Ph.D. program are not eligible to apply.

Yes, there is no limit.

No, joint proposals are not accepted. Applications must be submitted by individuals only.

Yes, we allow individuals to hold both simultaneously.

Yes.

No, the other support requirement is only in place at the time of application.

No, specific feedback is not provided on applications due to the nature of the program and the number of applications received.

Yes, there is no limit on the number of times one can apply.

Beginning this cycle, Travel Support for Mathematicians awards will be issued as grants rather than gifts. When submitting your application, please ensure it is submitted through your institution’s grant-receiving entity — this may be a different entity than in previous years. This change applies only to new awards from this cycle forward. Awards already processed as gifts in prior years will remain unchanged and do not require further action.

No, the award is non-transferable.

Yes, the program is designed to support both domestic and international collaborations for mathematicians working in the United States.

Unspent funds at the end of the award period should continue to be spent in line with the goals of the award. No-cost extensions are not required and will not be processed.

After the application deadline, an application or award will not be withdrawn or terminated due to other support. In the case of a PI transfer or retirement, funds should be used by the institution in line with the goals of the award for scientific travel and research expenses by other faculty members, Ph.D. students or other graduate students of the mathematics department. Awards will not be transferred.

The grant will require the submission of a countersigned award letter. No additional reporting (financial or progress) will be required.

Awards are $8,400/year for five years, including indirect costs (see our policies).

Indirect costs are allowed for this award and must follow our indirect cost policy (see our policies). The indirect cost rate is nonnegotiable.

For assistance navigating SAM, please refer to the SAM frequently asked questions and instructional videos webpage.

No. Please be advised that all deadlines are in U.S. Eastern time. We recommend registering early and submitting with ample time for corrections prior to the deadline hour. Site traffic can slow page-load times. You will not be able to submit after the deadline has passed.

If changes are required to the application after submission, you must first contact [email protected]. Applications can only be changed prior to the deadline. Once revised, the application must be sent for sign-off and signed by the Signing Official again in order to resubmit.

Only one person can edit a record at a time. A record will be locked for editing if another user already has it opened, and a gray bar will display at the bottom of the record to prevent multiple users from overwriting one another’s changes. Ask other users at your institution to close the application, then refresh your page. If this still does not correct the issue, please reach out to [email protected].

Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations, The Simons Foundation, Inc. (“the Foundation” or “SF”) reserves the right to refer an application to SFI for consideration and funding. SFI and SF have entered into an agreement pursuant to which SF provides program operations and grant administration services, including payment processing, to SFI. SFI grant recipients are subject to SF Policies and Procedures.

All applications must be submitted via the Simons Award Manager (SAM). Please refer to the submission instructions for detailed steps on how to complete and submit your application. You will not be able to submit if the deadline has passed. We will not accept applications or individual application materials submitted via email or mail.

If changes are required to the application after it has been sent for sign-off, the Signing Official must send the application back for revisions. Once revised, the application must be sent for sign-off again and signed by the Signing Official in order to submit by the deadline. You will not be able to submit once the deadline has passed.