Apply for the AIMS-Imperial Global Fellows Programme (GFP) – Addressing Heat Driven Consequences of Climate Change in Cities

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, AIMS, in partnership with Imperial College London, will host the fourth AIMS-Imperial Global Fellows Programme (GFP) from 1–5 June 2026 in Accra, Ghana. The programme will be held at AIMS Ghana and will bring together doctoral researchers from within the AIMS Network, the University of Ghana and Imperial College, London for an intensive, interdisciplinary professional development experience.

In today’s research landscape, international collaboration and interdisciplinary engagement are essential to tackling complex global challenges. Funding agencies increasingly value research that brings together diverse disciplines, perspectives and institutions from across the world. As a result, the modern researcher must combine research excellence with strong collaborative, communication and professional skills.

The AIMS-Imperial Global Fellows Programme is designed to support the development of these competencies. Through structured activities, group work and guided coaching, participants will strengthen their ability to work effectively across disciplines, cultures and institutional contexts.

Why take part?

Participants in the programme will have the opportunity to:

Expand their professional networks by engaging with doctoral researchers and academic staff from across sub-Saharan Africa and Imperial College London. Participants represent a wide range of disciplines, including health, physics, climate science, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning and mathematical modelling.

Build skills and experience in international and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on addressing a real-world global challenge. Doctoral candidates from any discipline are welcome to apply; prior expertise in the programme theme is not required.

Engage with AIMS as a pan African network of centres of excellence, and learn more about opportunities for future research engagement, including research visit funding through the Global Fellows Fund.

Earn 3 ECRI credits toward the PhD Early-Stage Assessment and Late-Stage Review requirements at Imperial College London.

Approximately 40 doctoral researchers from AIMS, the University of Ghana and Imperial College London will work together throughout the week to develop professional, research and collaborative skills, alongside the intercultural awareness required to establish and sustain successful international partnerships.

Programme structure and learning outcomes

Over the five-day programme, participants will work in international and interdisciplinary teams, supported by an experienced coach from one of the partner institutions. Through this process, participants will enhance:

• Their ability to collaboratively develop and refine research ideas
• Their confidence in networking and communicating with impact across disciplines and cultures
• Their intercultural and international awareness and competence
• Their creativity in shaping collaborative research and innovation ideas
• Their understanding of research environments within international institutions

Participants will apply these skills directly by developing innovative responses to the programme theme.

Programme theme: Addressing Heat-Driven Consequences of Climate Change in Cities

Cities are increasingly exposed to the intensifying impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, extreme heat events and the urban heat island effect. These heat-driven challenges pose serious risks to public health (SDG 3), place growing pressure on energy systems, and threaten the resilience of urban infrastructure, often with disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations.

This programme theme explores innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to mitigating and adapting to urban heat challenges. Topics include sustainable urban design, green and blue infrastructure (SDG 11), cooling technologies, data-driven solutions and policy frameworks that promote equity and long-term climate resilience (SDG 13). By addressing heat-driven consequences, cities can protect public health, improve liveability and reduce environmental and economic costs.

Who should apply?

Doctoral candidates from any discipline are invited to apply to this five-day professional development programme: Imperial–AIMS Global Fellows Programme: Addressing Heat-Driven Consequences of Climate Change in Cities.

This programme offers a unique opportunity to step outside your usual research environment, collaborate with peers from diverse disciplines and cultures, and develop skills that will support your future research career-while engaging with a pressing global challenge.

For additional enquiries not addressed on the programme webpages, please contact Angela Tabiri, Laura Bulmer or Beth Yates.

Click HERE for more information.