Fellow
Applicants for Fellow require senior professional standing based on demonstrable achievement and competence in the development or application of mathematics.
In addition to an approved academic qualification for the Member grade applicants must satisfy one of the following:
- completion of seven years of research in mathematics or its applications which has made a valuable contribution to the subject,
- completion of ten years responsible work requiring knowledge and application of mathematics,
- have made outstanding contributions to the development or application of mathematics.
The level of acceptable work cannot be defined precisely. Generally, commercial or industrial mathematicians may have led a research, development or operational group, which uses advanced or applied mathematics. A university mathematician will normally be of at least senior lecturer grade. A schoolteacher may have made a significant contribution to mathematics development at a local or national level.
Initial applications should normally be accompanied by qualification transcript(s). Applications from any person who has obtained an academic position in the UK or Eire requiring graduate level mathematics do not need to be accompanied by qualification transcripts.
How to Apply
To apply for Fellow you must supply all the information requested, either on the application form or on myIMA, and indicate your agreement to the declaration. This agreement constitutes a contract to abide by the rules of the Institute. Please note a properly completed application will not be processed until the appropriate fees are received. See the Membership Rates Page for the current fees.
Your application must include a detailed statement outlining your current and previous professional activities. The statement is an important part of the application and should make the case for acceptance by the Membership Committee. Additional information, for example a summary publication list, may be enclosed.
Depending upon the employment of the applicant, one of the following routes will apply:
Category 1 – Standard Applications
Applications for Fellow should be supported by a referee. The referee should have detailed knowledge of your work and be more senior than yourself, or of equal seniority but working for a different department or organisation. Your nominated referee should not be a family member.
The ideal arrangement is for the referee to be your manager or employer and a Fellow of the Institute or senior member of other relevant professional bodies. If this is not possible then the referee should be able to provide authoritative comment on your mathematical background and current work.
Reference request will be sent to your nominated referee at time of application submission.
Category 2 – Academic or Corporate Affiliate employee (salaried position requiring graduate level mathematics)
If you have:
- obtained an academic position in a Mathematics/Mathematical Science Department in the UK or Eire requiring graduate level mathematics (academic position being defined as Professor, Reader, Lecturer, including assistant, but not including seminar leader or graduate teaching assistant), or
- a salaried position requiring graduate level mathematics in an institution that is an IMA Corporate Affiliate
you are not required to nominate a referee. However, the Membership Committee shall retain the right to ask for a reference should serious doubts be expressed concerning the applicant’s suitability for the Fellow grade.
Applications for Fellow are considered by the Membership Committee. Applications usually take two to three months to process from receipt at Catherine Richards House.
Post nominals
Fellows may use the letters FIMA after their name.
Applying Online
To apply for this or any IMA membership grade, please visit myIMA
If you’re unable to apply via myIMA and require printable forms please request these by completing the form below.