The Joan and Joseph Birman Fellowship for the Advancement of Women Scholars

Applications are now open for the Joan and Joseph Birman Fellowship for the Advancement of Women Scholars, a prestigious midcareer research fellowship for women in mathematics. This fully funded fellowship, offering US$75,000 for the 2026–2027 academic year, aims to advance the participation and success of women in mathematics.

Eligible applicants are mathematicians holding a tenured, tenure-track, postdoctoral, or comparable position at a U.S. institution, with a focus on those who have made significant contributions to both mathematics and the advancement of women in the field. The application window is open from July 15 to September 30, 2025, through MathPrograms, with no application fee required. You can check out more fellowships here

Key Details

• Field: Mathematics
• Funding: Fully funded, US$75,000 for the 2026–2027 academic year
• Eligibility: Mathematicians (any gender) with a tenured, tenure-track, postdoctoral, or comparable position at a U.S. institution; must demonstrate contributions to advancing women in mathematics
• Application Deadline: September 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EDT)
• Application Fee: None

Overview

The Joan and Joseph Birman Fellowship is a prestigious midcareer research fellowship aimed at advancing the participation and success of women in mathematics. Funded by a generous gift from Joan and Joseph Birman, this fellowship supports exceptionally talented women mathematicians during their midcareer years. One award of US$75,000 will be granted for the 2026–2027 academic year, along with complimentary AMS membership for the duration of the fellowship.

The fellowship seeks to address the underrepresentation of women at the highest levels of mathematical research by providing extra support to scholars who demonstrate significant potential for further contributions to mathematics and for advancing women in the field.

Eligibility

To apply, you must:

• Hold a tenured, tenure-track, postdoctoral, or comparable position (as determined by the selection committee) at a U.S. institution.
• Demonstrate how your research achievements and activities have advanced the participation, retention, and success of women in mathematics.
• Show potential for continued contributions to mathematics and the advancement of women in the field.

There are no restrictions based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or gender, in accordance with non-discrimination laws. The AMS values informal contributions, such as mentoring or serving as a role model, in the evaluation process. Special circumstances, like time taken off for childcare or family responsibilities, may be considered.

Note: The fellowship cannot typically be deferred.

Check Visiting Fellowships in Austria: Vienna Center for Advanced Studies (ViCAS) Early-Career Fellowship

Award Details

• Amount: US$75,000 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
• Usage: Funds can be used flexibly to support research, such as release time, participation in research programs, travel, or childcare. The award is issued through the recipient’s institution, with no institutional charges (e.g., fringe benefits, indirect costs, or overhead) permitted.
• AMS Membership: Complimentary membership for the duration of the fellowship.

Application Process

Applications are accepted through MathPrograms from July 15 to September 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EDT). Reference letters and institutional verifications are due by October 6, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EDT).

Best opportunity: St John’s College Research Fellowship in UK

Required Application Materials

1. Research Statement (max 3 pages, including references):
   • Describe your overall research program (past and planned) in a way that’s understandable to non-specialist mathematicians.
   • Highlight how your work advances the participation and success of women in mathematics.
2. Research Plan (max 1 page):
   • Detail your research plans during the fellowship period.
   • Explain how the fellowship will support your success.
3. Key Professional Accomplishments (max 1 page):
   • List up to 10 publications and 5 professional activities showcasing your contributions to mathematics and, where applicable, the advancement of women in the field.
4. NSF-style Summary of Current and Pending Support: to create an NSF Current and Pending Support document, visit https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv, log into your NSF account, follow the prompts in the walk-through form, select “Create new document,” choose the “NSF Current and Pending (Other) Support” format, and download the PDF.​​​​​​
5. NSF-style Biographical Sketch: to create the NSF-style biographical sketch, visit https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv, log into your NSF account, follow the prompts in the walk-through form, select “Create new document,” choose the “NSF Biographical Sketch” format, and download the PDF.
6. References:
   • Provide contact details for three reference writers who can speak to your research accomplishments and contributions to advancing women in mathematics.
   • Use the email links on the MathPrograms coversheet to send instructions to your writers.
7. Institutional Verification:
   • Obtain verification from an administrator at your institution (e.g., from the office of sponsored programs) to coordinate award administration if selected.

Also check: Canon Foundation Research Fellowship In Europe and Japan