THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (TWAS)
TWAS Fellowships for PhD and Postdoctoral Research
full · phd
- FundedScholarship type
- PhD & postdoctoralLevels
- ~CNY 8,000/moExample stipend (CAS-TWAS)
- Developing-country researchersEligibility
- 10+ partner programmesDelivery
- Natural sciencesFields
At a glance
full
Funding
€12k
Max amount
Sep 30, 2026
Deadline
Developing countries (TWAS partner programme rules apply)
Country
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
Provider
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), founded in 1983 and based in Trieste, Italy under the umbrella of UNESCO, runs more than 10 fellowship programmes that enable researchers from developing countries to pursue PhD and postdoctoral research. The fellowships are delivered through partnerships with science institutions and funding agencies in countries of the Global South such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Pakistan. Under these programmes the host country/institution typically provides a monthly stipend — for example ~CNY 8,000 under the CAS-TWAS programme — and often accommodation and research facilities, while TWAS coordinates the scheme and, in many cases, supports international travel. Together the programmes fund hundreds of researchers each year to strengthen scientific capacity in developing countries. There are many TWAS fellowship programmes, each with its own partner, eligibility, stipend, and deadline through the year. Applicants usually apply to a specific TWAS partner programme, sometimes via the TWAS online portal, and must meet that programme's academic and nationality requirements.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A monthly living stipend provided by the host country/institution (e.g. ~CNY 8,000/month under the CAS-TWAS programme; amounts vary by programme).
- Accommodation — Accommodation or a housing contribution in many partner programmes.
- Research facilities — Access to laboratories and research facilities at the host institution.
- Tuition/fees — Tuition/registration is typically waived or covered for fellowship holders (varies by programme).
- Travel (some programmes) — International travel support in certain TWAS programmes.
How to apply
Identify the TWAS fellowship programme (and host country) that matches your field, then apply to that programme — often through the TWAS online portal — by its deadline.
- Choose a TWAS programme — Browse TWAS PhD/postdoctoral fellowship programmes and pick one matching your field and target host country.
- Check eligibility & host — Confirm nationality, degree, and age rules, and whether you need a host institution/supervisor.
- Prepare your application — Assemble your research plan, CV, degrees/transcripts, references, and (where needed) a host acceptance letter.
- Apply to the programme — Submit via the TWAS online portal or the partner's system by the programme's deadline.
- Selection — TWAS and the partner review applications on scientific merit and fit.
- Placement — Selected fellows are placed at the host institution to begin their research.
Eligibility
NationalityCitizen of a developing country (some programmes prioritise science- and technology-lagging countries).
DegreeA master's (for PhD fellowships) or a PhD (for postdoctoral fellowships) in a relevant science field.
AgeAge limits apply in many programmes (commonly under ~35–45 depending on level/programme).
FieldNatural sciences (and some related fields) — programmes are science-focused.
Host acceptanceFor some programmes, acceptance from a host institution/supervisor is required.
TWAS runs many distinct fellowship programmes (e.g. with China's CAS, India's CSIR/DBT, Brazil's CNPq). Apply to the specific programme that matches your field and host country; each has its own deadline.
Eligible countries
Developing countries (TWAS partner programme rules apply)
Deadlines
Varies by TWAS programme2026-09-30
Selection
Selection is made jointly by TWAS and the partner institution/agency, based on scientific merit, the quality and feasibility of the research plan, academic record, and fit with the host. Many programmes prioritise applicants from science- and technology-lagging developing countries.
Verified sources
- TWAS Fellowshipstwas.orgofficial
About the provider
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy, operating under the auspices of UNESCO. It works to advance science in developing countries, and its fellowship programmes — run with partners across the Global South — build research capacity by training scientists from the developing world.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are TWAS fellowships?
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A portfolio of fellowships run by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), under UNESCO, enabling researchers from developing countries to pursue PhD and postdoctoral research at host institutions in the Global South.
Who is eligible?
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Researchers from developing countries (often prioritising science- and technology-lagging nations) with the required degree for their level, within age limits, in the natural sciences.
What do they cover?
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Typically a monthly stipend from the host country, accommodation or a housing contribution, access to research facilities, and waived or covered tuition; some programmes add travel support.
Where can I do the research?
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At TWAS partner institutions in the Global South — for example in China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Pakistan — depending on the specific programme you apply to.
How do I apply?
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Choose the TWAS fellowship programme that matches your field and host country, then apply — often via the TWAS online portal — by that programme's deadline.
When are the deadlines?
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They vary by programme and run through the year; several close around ~September. Check the specific TWAS programme for its deadline.
What levels do they fund?
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PhD fellowships (for master's holders) and postdoctoral fellowships (for PhD holders), focused on research in the natural sciences.
Do I need a host institution first?
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For some programmes you need acceptance from a host institution or supervisor before or during the application; others place you after selection. Check the programme rules.
Which fields are covered?
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Natural sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and earth sciences. TWAS focuses on building scientific capacity, so programmes are science-oriented.
Are there age limits?
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Yes — many programmes set age limits (commonly under ~35–45 depending on level and programme). Check the specific fellowship for its limit.
How competitive is it?
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Competitive — selection by TWAS and the partner is based on scientific merit and research-plan quality, with limited places in each programme.
Who runs and funds TWAS fellowships?
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TWAS (based in Trieste, Italy, under UNESCO) coordinates the programmes in partnership with national science agencies and institutions in the Global South, which provide the stipends and facilities.