The London Mathematical Society grants: what they fund and how to apply

Funder Last checked 11 July 2026

The London Mathematical Society (charity no. 252660) awards grants to support mathematics and mathematicians. It backs research conferences, visits, collaborations, early-career researchers and higher education teaching. Funding is for people and departments in the maths community, not for general charities or community groups.

What the LMS funds

The London Mathematical Society (LMS) is a learned society and charity that gives grants to promote and extend mathematical knowledge. Its grants support mathematical activity — conferences and research workshops, visits by and to mathematicians, joint research groups, collaborations with developing countries, work at the interface of maths and computer science, postgraduate and early-career researchers, and higher education maths teaching and scholarship.

To be clear about scope: this is funding for the mathematics community. If you run a general charity or community group, or your project is not mathematical, the LMS is not the right funder. The grants go to mathematicians, university departments, researchers and maths educators.

How much you can apply for

Amounts depend on the scheme. Smaller awards start around £200 to £500 — for example caring supplementary grants or Scheme 9 new appointment grants. Scheme 1 conference and workshop grants offer up to £7,000. Larger, institution-level awards go higher: Undergraduate Summer School grants up to £40,000, and Research School grants up to £15,000. Each scheme page lists its own maximum and what the money can cover.

Who can apply

Grant applicants should be a mathematician based in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands at the time of application and when the event, visit or meeting takes place. If a grant holder leaves the UK before the activity, the grant is withdrawn. Non-members usually need an LMS member to counter-sign the application. Only one grant per scheme, per person, per LMS financial year (1 August to 31 July) is allowed. PhD students cannot apply for Scheme 1 but can apply to the postgraduate conference scheme.

Deadlines and rounds

Deadlines vary by scheme, so check the page for the scheme you want. As an example, Scheme 1 (conferences and workshops) has three rounds a year: 15 September, 22 January and 15 May, with decisions the following month. The Society does not consider Scheme 1 applications between mid-June and mid-October. Grants are not made retrospectively, so apply well before your event. Other schemes set their own dates or accept applications year-round.

How to apply

Applications are made through the LMS website. Start on the grants pages, choose the scheme that fits your activity, and read its guidance notes. You will need to sign in or register for an LMS user account to complete an online application form. Queries can go to the Grants team at grants@lms.ac.uk.

Tips

  • Match your activity to the right numbered scheme first — the eligibility and maximum award differ for each.
  • Apply early. Grants are not awarded retrospectively, and each scheme has fixed rounds or lead times.
  • For conferences and workshops, plan a diverse speaker or participant list — the LMS treats a lack of invited women speakers as grounds for refusal.
  • If you are not an LMS member, line up a member to counter-sign your application before the deadline.

Official source and last updated

Last updated: July 2026. Source: London Mathematical Society — Grants and the Charity Commission register (no. 252660).

Recent grants

[Theme renders recent grants automatically from 360Giving data — do not hand-write.]

Similar funders

CharityIQ does not currently profile the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the Royal Society or the Edinburgh Mathematical Society as funder pages, so no link is given here. For broader UK research and education funding, use the Grant Finder below.

Check if your charity is eligible for funders like this — CharityIQ’s free Grant Finder matches your charity to real, published UK funders and cites the source for each. → /grant-finder/

Frequently asked questions

No. The LMS funds the mathematics community only. Grant applicants should be a mathematician based in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. It supports research conferences, visits, collaborations, early-career researchers and higher education maths teaching. General charities, voluntary groups and non-mathematical projects are not eligible.

The core Research Grants run as numbered schemes — Scheme 1 conference and workshop grants, Scheme 2 visiting speakers, Scheme 3 joint research groups, Scheme 4 research in pairs, Scheme 5 collaborations with developing countries, Scheme 7 computer science small grants, Scheme 8 postgraduate conference grants and Scheme 9 celebrating new appointments. It also funds education, early-career and diversity schemes.

Amounts depend on the scheme. Smaller awards start around £200 to £500 (for example caring costs or new appointments), Scheme 1 conference grants offer up to £7,000, and larger institutional awards such as Undergraduate Summer School grants reach up to £40,000. Each scheme page lists its own maximum.

Applicants should be a mathematician based in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands at the time of application and when the activity takes place. Non-members usually need an LMS member to counter-sign. PhD students cannot apply for Scheme 1 but can apply to the postgraduate scheme. If a grant holder leaves the UK before the activity, the grant is withdrawn.

Deadlines vary by scheme. Scheme 1 has three rounds a year — 15 September, 22 January and 15 May — with decisions the following month. Other schemes set their own dates or take applications year-round. Grants are not awarded retrospectively, so apply well before your event or visit.