The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

For over 40 years, The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS) has been a leading force in developing crucial scientific capability in some of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.

A global science academy founded in 1983 in Trieste, Italy, TWAS supports sustainable prosperity through research, education, policy, and diplomacy. Today, TWAS represents the elite of scientific accomplishment in, or related to, the developing world.

TWAS has more than 1,400 elected fellows from 112 countries, including 13 Nobel laureates. More than 430 Young Affiliates and Alumni form an active network of some of the most accomplished early-career researchers in the global South.  With its partners, TWAS has graduated over 1,100 PhDs and awarded more than 2,300 postdoctoral fellowships to developing world scientists.

The Academy also bestowed over 1,200 prizes, awarded over 2,700 research grants, trained over 750 individuals in science diplomacy, and supported over 1,400 exchange visits. From the start, the Academy had essential support from Italian scientists and political leaders. TWAS is a programme unit of UNESCO.

Photo by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).