Criteria for membership
The main criterion for election as a TWAS Member is scientific excellence.
Only those scientists who have attained the highest international standards and have made significant contributions to the advancement of science can be nominated.
Based on the decision taken by the Academy at its 24th General Meeting in 2013, starting 2014, the Academy's membership shall consist of elected Fellows only; the membership category Associate Fellow has been discontinued.
- Candidates for election as TWAS Fellows must be scientists whose contributions to their respective field(s) of science meet internationally accepted standards of excellence.
- Candidates for election as TWAS Fellows may work and live anywhere in the world, but if working and living in a developed country, they must also have distinguished themselves in efforts to promote science in developing countries.
Other criteria for nomination of candidates are age (under 70 years at nomination) and membership in a well-established and recognized national science academy, if such a body exists in the candidate's country.
Only TWAS Members can nominate candidates, and each candidate must be proposed by two TWAS members. The online nomination form is available to TWAS Members only here [log in first].
Nominations must be submitted by 31 March of each year. They are evaluated by Membership Advisory Committees (one for each membership section) and then submitted to the TWAS Council. The Council recommends a final list of candidates for election which is communicated to the Fellows attending the General Meeting. Candidates receiving the favourable vote by the majority of Fellows present at the General Meeting are elected.
On average, up to 50 new Members are elected each year. Membership is for life.
Rules for the selection of Young Affiliates
Every year, the Academy's five Regional Partners each select up to five scientists to be TWAS Young Affiliates for a period of six years.
TWAS initiated its affiliateship category for young scientists in 2007. During their six-year tenure, TWAS Young Affiliates are invited to participate in the TWAS General Meetings and Conferences.
The Academy's Regional Partners are located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Beijing, China; Alexandria, Egypt; Bangalore, India; and Pretoria, South Africa (as of 2015; previously Nairobi, Kenya). Generally, they nominate only one person per country among the five individuals selected each year. To be eligible for selection, researchers must meet the following requirements:
1. Age and doctoral degree
Candidates must meet one of the following requirements:
Be 40 years of age or younger while holding a PhD degree, or
Possess a PhD degree awarded within the last five years for male candidates, or within the last eight years for female candidates, with no age restriction.
2. Residency and professional experience
Candidates must have resided and worked in a developing country for at least the three years immediately prior to their nomination.
3. Scientific publications and research context
A strong record of scientific publications is essential. Evaluation will be qualitative, focusing on:
Quality of each publication
Relevance of the candidate's research field
Impact and significance of the research
In addition, the research environment will be considered, including available infrastructure, resources, and working conditions. This contextual analysis provides a more holistic and equitable assessment of scientific achievement, acknowledging that researchers in different settings face varying levels of support and access to resources.
4. Exceptions and special considerations
Exceptions to residency and work experience requirements may be granted for:
Female scientists
Scientists who are displaced or in exile
Nominations requesting exceptions must include a thorough and detailed explanation of the circumstances justifying the request.
These changes reflect TWAS’s commitment to recognizing excellence in science while acknowledging diverse career paths and challenges faced by researchers worldwide.
Being selected a TWAS Young Affiliate does not automatically lead to full membership of TWAS. Specifically, TWAS Young Affiliates:
- will be invited to attend all TWAS General Meetings and General Conferences;
- are entitled to attend TWAS General Meetings as observers, i.e. they will be permitted to participate in the discussions, but will not have any voting rights;
- will be invited to attend regional meetings of TWAS Fellows organized by the Regional Partners;
- will be invited to participate in the activities of TWAS national chapters in their home countries (if such a chapter is active);
- will receive TWAS digital newsletters and publications such as the TWAS Newsletter, TWAS Plus, and Annual Report;
- will have their biodata published in the TWAS Directory of Fellows and Young Affiliates;
- are eligible for TWAS Awards (unlike TWAS members);
- are encouraged to provide feedback to TWAS on how the Academy can respond to the needs of young scientists in developing countries;
- are encouraged to provide information about TWAS programmes to their students and colleagues;
- are encouraged to seek out and nominate excellent scientists from developing countries, especially science- and technology-lagging countries, for TWAS awards;
- are encouraged to seek out excellent scientists from science- and technology-lagging countries and recommend their nomination for TWAS membership (via a TWAS Fellow).
At the end of the six-year affiliateship period, the status of 'TWAS Young Affiliate' will be changed to 'TWAS Young Alumnus'. TWAS Young Alumni will continue to be encouraged to seek nomination for a relevant TWAS Award or as a TWAS Fellow; to be kept on the TWAS mailing list and will continue to receive the TWAS Newsletter, e-Bulletin, etc.; to act as a resource person for TWAS.