In collaboration with UNESCO and a number of centres of excellence in the South, TWAS has instituted an Associateship Scheme to enable competent researchers from the South to visit these centres regularly. An associate is appointed for three years during which s/he can visit a centre twice for research collaboration. Almost 300 centres have been selected to participate in the Scheme. TWAS provides travel support for the associates and a contribution towards subsistence costs up to USD300 per month while living expenses are covered by the host centres.