Six awards are currently open to candidates from the developing world across disciplines, including agricultural sciences and biology, astronomy and cosmology, biological sciences, chemistry, mathematical sciences, and sustainability.
Through its broad portfolio of awards, the Academy encourages scientists to pursue ever higher levels of excellence while increasing the international visibility of research conducted in the developing world. TWAS administers a wide range of honours—some awarded annually, others every two years—many of them sponsored by distinguished and generous TWAS Fellows.
Nominations may be submitted by TWAS members, science academies, national research councils, universities, and scientific institutions from both the global North and South. Self-nominations are not accepted. TWAS Fellows are not eligible for nomination.
The nomination deadline for every award is 30 June 2026.
Contact email: awards@twas.org
The awards seeking nominations are:
2026 TWAS-Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences
Sponsored by TWAS President Quarraisha Abdool Karim, this annual award recognizes outstanding achievements in the biological sciences by women scientists living and working in one of the UN-identified Least Developed Countries of Africa. Eligible candidates must be female scientists under the age of 45. Following an evaluation process, Abdool Karim will select the winner, who will receive a cash prize of USD5,000.
2026 TWAS-Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi Award
TWAS is inviting nominations for this annual award, sponsored by TWAS Fellow Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi, which recognizes outstanding women scientists from TWAS-identified Scientifically and Technologically Lagging Countries. This year’s award honours achievements in agricultural sciences and biology, offering a cash prize of USD4,000. There is no age limit for nominees.
2026 TWAS-Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Award
This annual award, sponsored by TWAS Fellow Samira Omar, celebrates scientists from the UN-identified Least Developed Countries whose work has made outstanding contributions to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. It includes a cash prize of USD4,000, recognizing research in sustainability, with no age limit for nominees.
2026 TWAS-CAS Young Scientists Award for Frontier Science
Established in 2020 thanks to former CAS and TWAS President Bai Chunli, this annual recognition is currently sponsored by the China Sciences Group (Holding) Co. Ltd. It honours outstanding achievements by young scientists living and working in developing countries. The 2026 edition will recognize exceptional contributions in astronomy and cosmology. Eligible candidates must be nationals of a developing country in the South, under the age of 45. The award carries a cash prize of USD10,000.
2026 TWAS-Atta-ur-Rahman Award in Chemistry
The annual award, named after TWAS Fellow and former Vice-President Atta-ur-Rahman, is sponsored by Searle Company Ltd and acknowledges chemists under the age of 45 who are nationals of a TWAS-identified Science-and-Technology Lagging Country. Candidates must have lived and worked in an eligible country for at least two years immediately before their nomination. The award carries a cash prize of USD5,000.
2026 TWAS-Mohammad A. Hamdan Award
Established in 2020, this biennial award is supported by a donation from late TWAS Vice-President for the Arab Region Professor Mohammad A. Hamdan. It honours distinguished mathematicians working and living in Africa or the Arab region. Achievements in pure and applied mathematics, probability, and statistics are equally considered. There is no age limit for nominees. The award carries a cash prize of USD5,000 and a certificate.