program Description

The Claytor-Gilmer Fellowship

The AMS established the Claytor-Gilmer Fellowship to further excellence in mathematics research and to advance the participation and success of Black mathematicians in the research community. One award will be made for the 2026-2027 academic year in the amount of US$75,000. AMS membership also will be offered to the recipient for the duration of the fellowship.

About This Fellowship

In 2020, the AMS took new steps towards addressing racism and promoting full and equitable participation in mathematics education, research, and employment. As part of national outrage about systemic racism, the AMS participated in #ShutDownSTEM day, adopted the AMS Message of Support for and Solidarity with the Black Community, created the Task Force on Understanding and Documenting the Historical Role of the AMS in Racial Discrimination, and launched a new endowed fund for the fellowship and other activities. In consultation with various other professional organizations and individuals in the wider community, the AMS Council established and then named the Claytor-Gilmer Fellowship in early 2021. The Fellowship celebrates their achievements and seeks to inspire all mathematicians to contribute to a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming mathematical community.

Both Dr. William S. Claytor and Dr. Gloria Ford Gilmer are products of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Dr. Claytor and Dr. Ford Gilmer have compelling stories that align with an important intention of the new Fellowship: to redress the historical fact that Black men and women have not been adequately supported or recognized by the mathematics community.

In recognition of the historical contributions of Dr. Claytor and Dr. Gilmer, the fellowship seeks to encourage applications from mathematicians who are committed to advancing excellence in mathematics and who demonstrate a dedication to broadening participation and fostering a more inclusive mathematical community. The most likely awardee will be a mid-career scholar whose achievements demonstrate significant potential both for further contributions to mathematics and to advancing the participation and success of Black mathematicians. 

Awardees may use the fellowship in any way that most effectively enables their research — for instance, for release time, participation in research programs, travel support, childcare, etc. The award is issued through the recipient's institution, but institutions may not charge costs of any kind to AMS fellowships, such as fringe benefit rate, indirect costs, or overhead.

Fellowship Amount:

One award will be made for the 2026-2027 academic year in the amount of US$75,000. AMS membership will also be offered to the recipient for the duration of the fellowship.

• Research Statement: a statement regarding the applicant's overall program of research, past and planned, that is meaningful to mathematicians who are not specialists The statement should be no more than three pages, including bibliographical references.
• Research Plan: a detailed research plan for the fellowship period that is contextualized by the research statement. The plan should include a description of how the fellowship will support the applicant's success. The plan should be no more than one page.
• Key Professional Accomplishments: a list of up ten publications and/or other professional activities that demonstrate the applicant's contributions to the mathematics profession, and where applicable, to the advancing the participation and success of Black mathematicians. This list should be no more than one page. 
• 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.
• 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. 
• References: a list of three reference writers who can address the applicant’s accomplishments and research potential, both to research mathematics and to advancing the participation and success of Black mathematicians in keeping with the fellowship's purpose. Use the email links on the coversheet to send a password and instructions directly to the writers.
• Institutional Verification: This prompt in the application will send an email to the 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. 

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 11:59 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025. Reference letters and an institutional verification will be accepted until Monday, October 6, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET).