One of the aims of the ICME congresses is to have a balanced representation from all over the world among the presenters as well as among the general participants. In order to achieve this goal ICMI started with ICME-8, a special ICME Solidarity Fund was initiated by setting aside 10% of the total amount collected through each ICME registration fees. The total collected amount from each ICME is distributed as grants for delegates from non-affluent countries to attend the ICMEs. 

An autonomous and anonymous Grant Committee, appointed by the IPC of each ICME distributes the funds amongst the successful applicants. Priority is given to applicants from less-affluent countries who contribute to the scientific programme with a paper or a poster. The criteria are: the quality of the submitted paper or poster, the role at the congress, the scientific potential of the proposal, the geographic representation and the special mathematics educational situation in the applicant’s country.

Grants will be given mainly as partial support to accommodation and travel costs and it is hoped that the Local Organizers give free registration to those awarded with a Solidarity Fund Grant. If this is not possible, partial or full support to registration fee can be part of the ICME Solidarity Fund Grant.

In 2016 more than 250 scholars from less-affluent countries were supported to participate in ICME-13 in Hamburg, Germany.

in 2024 nearly 200 scholars from less-affluent countries were supported to participate in ICME-15 in Sydney, Australia.