How to become a TWAS member?

TWAS has 1,190 elected Fellows in more than 90 countries; 15 of them are Nobel laureates.

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 as Fellows or Associate Fellows.

• Fellows are scientists who live and work in developing countries and who have made contributions to their fields of science that meet internationally accepted standards of excellence;
• Associate Fellows are scientists who live and work in developed countries, have made contributions to their fields of science that meet internationally accepted standards of excellence, and additionally, have distinguished themselves in efforts to promote science in developing countries.

Eighty-five percent of TWAS members are Fellows, fifteen percent are Associate Fellows. Members are elected for life.

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 one such body exists in the candidate's country.

Only TWAS members can nominate candidates for election. The nomination must be in writing on a form called "Certificate of Election" which is available upon request to TWAS Fellows and Associate Fellows only.

Completed "Certificates of Election" 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 and Associate Fellows attending the General Meeting. Candidates receiving the favorable vote by the majority of Fellows and Associate Fellows present at the General Meeting are elected.

On average, up to 50 new members are elected each year.