Imperial-AIMS Global Fellows Programme

Imperial College London is delighted to partner with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) for the fourth bilateral Global Fellows Programme (GFP), taking place from 1st - 5th June 2026 in Accra, Ghana, hosted by AIMS Ghana.

In the current scientific environment, international and interdisciplinary collaborations and networking are fundamental to developing successful projects. In a competitive research environment, funding bodies increasingly look for interdisciplinary, collaborative research with partners from around the world. The modern researcher requires both excellence in research and strong professional collaborative competencies.   

This exciting programme is designed to facilitate participants to actively focus on the development of these professional skills and competencies.

Why take part?

• Develop your network. This programme offers the unique opportunity to engage with peers and staff from across sub-Saharan Africa. Participants will be pursuing PhDs across a range of areas, including: health, physics, climate, data, AI, machine learning, mathematical modelling. Imperial participants will also meet peers from other departments at Imperial.
• Develop skills and experiences in international and interdisciplinary collaboration to address a global challenge. N.B. doctoral candidates from any discipline can take part, a background in the programme theme is not required.  
• The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences is a pan-African network of 5 centres of excellence and is also a partner for research visit funding via the Global Fellows Fund. 
• Gain 3 ECRI credits towards your attendance requirement for the PhD Early stage Assessment and Late Stage Review at Imperial College London. 

Approximately 40 doctoral researchers from AIMS, the University of Ghana and Imperial will work together to develop professional, research, and collaborative skills as well as the intercultural awareness that is required to establish and continue successful collaborations.

During this five-day programme, participants will work in interdisciplinary and international groups, assisted by a coach from one of the partner institutions. During the programme, participants will enhance:

• Their ability to work collaboratively on research ideas
• Their ability to network and communicate effectively and with impact in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams
• Their intercultural and international competency and awareness
• Their creativity to develop collaborative research ideas
• Their appreciation of research in international institutions

Participants will also have the opportunity to apply those skills and competencies to develop creative innovations addressing global challenges under the programme theme ‘Addressing Heat-Driven Consequences of Climate Change in Cities’

Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to the intensifying impacts of heat driven by climate change, including rising temperatures, heatwaves, and the urban heat island effect. These conditions exacerbate health risks (SDG 3), strain energy systems, and threaten infrastructure resilience, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. The theme explores innovative strategies to mitigate and adapt to heat-related challenges in cities—such as sustainable urban design, green infrastructure (SDG 11), cooling technologies, and policy frameworks—while promoting equity and long-term climate resilience (SDG 13). By addressing heat-driven consequences, cities can safeguard public health, enhance liveability, and reduce environmental and economic costs.

Doctoral candidates from any discipline are invited to apply to this 5-day professional development course: the Imperial-AIMS Global Fellows Programme: ‘Addressing Heat-Driven Consequences of Climate Change in Cities’.

This is a chance to challenge yourself outside of your normal working environment, meet people from other disciplines and cultures, and have fun! 

Student Experiences: 

• ‘The GFP has been one of the highlights of my time as a PhD student. Meeting new people, getting of my comfort zone, and working on a project in a different research field has been a rewarding experience that, in my opinion, all PhD students should try to experience.’
  
• ‘Working with students from all over sub-Saharan Africa was an incredible experience. We networked, laughed and made lifelong connections. I am beyond happy that I had this experience and would love a reunion soon!’
• ‘Knowing is not enough. We must apply.’
• ‘I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about other cultures, develop their professional skills and have fun whilst doing it!’
• ‘The GFP was a great avenue to meet fellow PhD students in an interdisciplinary environment to work on a project not necessarily in your field.’

For any additional queries not answered in webpages, please contact Laura Bulmer & Beth Yates