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AMS-Simons Travel Grants
The AMS-Simons Travel Grant program acknowledges the importance of research interaction and collaboration in mathematics and aims to facilitate these activities for recent PhD recipients. AMS-Simons Travel Grants are administered by the AMS with support from the Simons Foundation. These grants provide support for a significant number of committed researchers who have limited opportunities for travel and conferences and for collaborative work.
Applications for the AMS-Simons Travel Grants program will be accepted on MathPrograms.org from February 15, 2026 - March 31, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET).
What will this grant provide?
As of the 2023–2024 award cycle, each grant will provide an early-career mathematician with up to $2,500 per year for two years to be used for research-related travel. Award amounts are subject to continued program funding levels. Whether the grant is administered by the awardee's institution or the AMS, reimbursements for eligible research-related travel expenses will go directly to the awardee and will have the awardee’s name on them, making the AMS-Simons Travel Grant a personal grant. Award amounts are subject to continued program funding levels.
If the awardee's institution administers the grant, the institution of the 2026-2027 AMS-Simons Travel Grant awardee will receive payment of $250 for the grantee's department to enhance its research environment and $250 for administrative costs. Both of these payments would be delivered at the conclusion of each year of the award, upon receipt of the awardee's technical report and the institution's expense report. Institutions may not charge costs of any kind to this program, such as fringe benefit rate, indirect costs, or overhead.
Eligible travel expenses
Awardees may use grant funds for research-related travel, such as travel to a conference, a university, or an institute, or to visit a collaborator. Funds may also be used for a collaborator to visit the awardee to engage in research activities. Other research-related travel may be supported. Expenses for travel may include advance-purchase economy airfare, hotel, transportation to and from an airport, and meals. Awardees will be encouraged, but not required, to use U.S. Flag Air Carriers for international air travel. Detailed guidelines, similar to those in place for NSF awards, will be provided to the awardee. No fringe benefit rate, indirect costs, or overhead are to be covered by this funding.
What is the mentor's role?
Each applicant will identify a mentor with whom they would engage with during the two-year period of the grant. The mentor must serve as one of the applicant’s references in their AMS-Simons Travel Grant application and they will be asked to further work closely with a grantee to determine the activities for which the grantee will use their award.
What is the timeline for this grant?
Applications will be accepted beginning February 15, 2026 through April 14, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET). Award decision notifications will be made via email in late June 2026. For 2026–2027 awardees, reimbursable expenses may be incurred no earlier than July 1, 2026, and no later than June 30, 2026.
Application Materials
CV. The CV should be limited to two pages and should include the following professional information sections only.
Education and training – thesis advisor(s), institutions, departments, degrees, and dates
Appointments – all academic or professional appointments, beginning with current appointment
Publications – complete citations of all submitted, accepted, or published books and papers as of March 31, 2026
Statement of current research. This document may be no longer than three pages. It should begin with a half-page scientific summary accessible to a non-specialist mathematician. The research statement should be no longer than two pages, and citations may be included in the remaining half page.
References. Each applicant must provide the names and contact information of exactly two references. Entering more than two references on the application will disqualify the applicant from consideration. Reference details are as follows.
One reference must be a letter of support from the applicant’s proposed mentor, affirming that the mentor agrees to serve in the role described above. The ideal mentor is someone who is an active senior (at least seven years past the PhD) participant in the applicant's research area and/or a trusted senior colleague in the applicant's department.
The second reference must be from an individual in the same area of research as the applicant. This person may not be the applicant's thesis advisor or coauthor.
Institutional Verification. You will be asked to enter the contact information for an administrator at your institution (preferably a representative in your office of sponsored programs or equivalent) who may coordinate the administration of your award if your application is successful.
Mentor Approval Form. You will be asked to enter the contact information, name, and institution of the mentor with whom you will interact during the two-year period of the grant. If you check the "Send email on submit?" box, when you submit this application, an email will be sent to that person to request their completion of the approval form.
If you have questions about navigating the MathPrograms.org application system, please contact AMS Programs Staff.
Selection
Awards will reflect the diversity of the mathematical community, including disciplinary research areas and geographical locations, and will avoid concentration of awards among a few institutions. Awardees for the 2026–2027 application cycle will be notified via email in late June 2026; the status of the award is not available on MathPrograms.org. Please alert the AMS Programs staff regarding any change in your email or mailing address during the application period.
AI Based Application Success Predictor
1. Strong Motivation for Science & Public Policy
The single strongest predictor is a credible, well-articulated interest in public policy, not just mathematics.
Successful applicants clearly explain:
Why they want to work in Congress,
What policy areas interest them (e.g., education, technology, data, national security, health),
How their background prepares them to contribute.
➡️ Applications that frame the fellowship as a “career break” or résumé item tend to perform poorly.
2. Ability to Translate Mathematics for Non-Technical Audiences
Congressional work is non-technical. Reviewers strongly favor applicants who can:
Explain complex ideas clearly to non-experts,
Write persuasively and concisely,
Apply logical reasoning to ambiguous, real-world policy problems.
Predictor: Evidence of teaching, outreach, interdisciplinary collaboration, policy writing, or public communication.
3. Clear Policy Relevance of Mathematical Thinking
You do not need policy experience, but you must demonstrate how mathematical thinking adds value to policymaking.
Strong applications show:
Experience with data analysis, modeling, statistics, optimization, or risk analysis,
Interest in evidence-based policy,
Examples where analytical reasoning informed decisions outside pure research.
4. Career Stage Fit (Early–Mid Career Sweet Spot)
The fellowship is open to:
PhD mathematicians,
Faculty (tenured or non-tenured),
Researchers in academia, industry, or government.
Historically, early- to mid-career mathematicians with flexibility and openness to career exploration are most competitive.
Predictor: A convincing narrative that the fellowship fits logically into your career trajectory.
5. Strong Letters of Recommendation (Especially Outside Pure Research)
Letters matter a lot.
Best letters:
Speak to communication skills, leadership, judgment, and adaptability,
Come from supervisors, department chairs, or collaborators who can comment on non-technical strengths,
Address policy interest, not only mathematical brilliance.
Weak letters that focus only on theorem-proving ability hurt competitiveness.
6. Evidence of Leadership, Service, or Engagement
Successful applicants often show involvement beyond research, such as:
University governance or committees,
Professional society service (e.g., AMS, SIAM),
Public outreach, education initiatives, or DEI work,
Policy-adjacent activities (panels, advisory roles, workshops).
➡️ This signals readiness for the people-centered, fast-paced Congressional environment.
7. Realistic Understanding of Congressional Work
Competitive applicants demonstrate awareness that:
The work is fast, political, and deadline-driven,
Success depends on teamwork, flexibility, and discretion,
The role involves briefing, drafting memos, meeting stakeholders—not doing research.
Predictor: Applications that show familiarity with Congress (even at a basic level) stand out.
8. Strong, Persuasive Personal Statement
The personal statement is decisive. High-scoring statements:
Are policy-forward, not math-centric,
Show curiosity, humility, and adaptability,
Clearly state what the applicant hopes to learn and contribute,
Avoid jargon entirely.
🚫 Common Reasons Applications Fail
❌ Treating the fellowship as an academic sabbatical
❌ Overemphasizing technical achievements with no policy connection
❌ Weak explanation of motivation for public service
❌ No evidence of communication or leadership skills
❌ Letters focused only on mathematical research excellence
📊 Summary: Predictors of AMS Congressional Fellowship Success
| Predictor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Strong policy motivation | Core purpose of the fellowship |
| Clear communication skills | Essential in Congress |
| Evidence-based reasoning | Shows value of math in policy |
| Career-stage alignment | Supports leadership development |
| Strong, relevant letters | Validate non-technical strengths |
| Service & leadership record | Indicates readiness for public service |
| Realistic view of Congress | Shows maturity and preparedness |
| Compelling personal statement | Primary selection tool |
Specialties
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants for the 2026–2027 application cycle are early-career mathematicians who are employed full-time by institutions located in the United States and who have completed the PhD (or its equivalent) within the last four years (between April 1, 2022, and June 30, 2026, inclusive). No person may receive an AMS-Simons travel grant more than once.
Note that for any program, fellowship, prize or award that has a maximum period of eligibility after receipt of the doctoral degree, the selection committee may use discretion in making exceptions to the limit on eligibility for candidates whose careers have been interrupted for reasons such as family or health. Therefore, an applicant who has had to slow down or temporarily stop their career for personal reasons may request to be considered for an extension in the amount of time after the PhD degree. This should be stated on the application. You will be notified separately about the status of your exception request. If accepted, your application will then be in the pool of applicants for the selection process.
Additionally, the applicant's research must be in a disciplinary research area supported by the Division of Mathematical Sciences at the National Science Foundation.
Previous AMS-Simons Travel Grant awardees and early-career mathematicians who already receive substantial external funding for research and travel are not eligible to apply.
Sponsor Details
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Mathematical Society
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 201 Charles Street Providence, Rhode Island 02904-2213
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Grant, Travel Grant
Letter Of Intent Deadline:
Mar 31, 2026
Final Deadline:
Mar 31, 2026
Funding Amount:
$5,000
Host Details
Affiliation: American Mathematical Society
Address: 201 Charles Street Providence, Rhode Island 02904-2213
Website URL: https://www.ams.org/grants-awards/travel-grants/AMS-SimonsTG
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.
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