TWAS Plus - Vol. 12 No. 1 - February 2026

Image promoting the Through Southern Lenses: Science in Focus photo contest.

TOP STORY

Only about two weeks are left to apply for Through Southern Lenses: Science in Focus, a new international science photography award created by the Conrado Wessel Foundation (FCW) in partnership with TWAS. The initiative, which recognizes the achievements and challenges of science in the global South through photography, will award US$20,000 to the winning photo essay (10 original images) that fits the theme “Glaciers and Deserts.”
Deadline: 15 February.  More

TWAS OPPORTUNITIES

Doctoral opportunities in China with ANSO-CAS-TWAS
Up to 40 students and researchers from developing countries will receive a sponsorship to pursue doctoral studies in China for up to four years through the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship programme. Deadline: 31 January 2026. More

Funding for scientists returning home
Early-career researchers with a PhD obtained abroad, who have recently returned or will shortly return to an academic position in their home country, may apply for a TWAS-SG-NAPI grant supported by the German BMFTR. Deadline: 31 March.  More

Train in science diplomacy with AAAS-TWAS
The call for applications for the 2026 summer AAAS‑TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy (20–23 July 2026, Trieste, Italy) is still open. Applications are invited from “participant pairs”. Deadline: 4 February. More

TWAS NEWS

TWAS looks ahead to the next decade
Read a wrap up of the 17th TWAS General Conference, including TWAS’ achievements laying the foundation for the years to come. More

TWAS Fellow to lead Vietnam National University
Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, elected a TWAS Fellow in 2025, is the first Vietnamese woman  to be appointed president of Vietnam National University. She is a leading pharmaceutical scientist whose work focuses on drug discovery and the medicinal potential of Vietnamese herbal plants. More

Science as a tool for common well-being
Karin Herrera, Guatemala’s vice president, emphasized the role of science as a foundation for sustainable development during her keynote speech at the 17th TWAS General Conference in Brazil. More

ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS

IAP

IAP Triennial Conference recordings now online
Watch the sessions and the side events from the three-day of global dialogue on science, policy, equity, and trust. The recordings are now freely available on the IAP YouTube channel. More

Register for webinar on women and girls in science
How far have scientific organizations come in advancing gender equality, and how far do we still have to go? Register now, to join the 11 February 2026 public webinar presenting a decade of global evidence on gender equality in science, and find it out. More

New IAP report on tackling sexual harassment in academia
Sexual harassment remains a serious and damaging challenge in academia worldwide. IAP and the US NASEM convened an international workshop to address this issue. A full workshop summary and shared commitment are available. More

New OWSD President Elected
Luisa Fernanda Echeverría-King took office. Meet OWSD’s new president and learn about her commitment to supporting women scientists in the developing world. More

Bogotá Statement and a shared vision for the future
What barriers do women in science continue to face, and what might a shared vision for the future look like? Read the Bogotá Statement, adopted at the closing ceremony of the OWSD 7th General Assembly on 7 November 2025. More

Expression of Interest Open: GenSIS country projects
OWSD and UNESCO invite national chapters and policy partners to apply for the first phase of the GenSIS initiative, which supports national gender-in-science committees across the global South. More

OWSD new National Chapter in Ethiopia
OWSD announces the establishment of its 59th National Chapter in Ethiopia, marking a renewed commitment to advancing women’s participation and leadership in science and technology and promoting gender equity in the global South. More

Launch your PhD path: ICTP diploma applications open
ICTP's Postgraduate Diploma Programme, preparing talented students for PhD studies, is accepting applications for the 2026–2027 academic year. Deadline: 28 February. More

Apply now: ICTP associates programme for sub‑Saharan Africa
Scientists working in sub-Saharan Africa are invited to apply to ICTP's Associates programme for sabbatical-type visits to the centre. Deadline: 28 February. More

TWAS REGIONAL PARTNERS NEWS

TWAS Regional Partners’ key role
The TWAS Regional Partners are a vital part of the Academy’s global network. They nominate candidates for TWAS awards, select TWAS Young Affiliates, and help raise awareness of TWAS and its programmes, especially among scientists in their respective regions. More

Raghavendra Gadagkar joins Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
Indian TWAS Fellow Raghavendra Gadagkar has been appointed an affiliated scientist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, University of Konstanz, Germany, and took up the Anusandhan National Research Foundation National Science Chair on 1 November 2025. More

Asaf Hajiyev’s new book offers cutting-edge AI methods
TWAS Fellow Asaf Hajiyev of Azerbaijan advances artificial intelligence and complex systems research in his new book, High-Dimensional Regression Analysis and Artificial Intelligence: Theory, Methods, and Applications. More 

Islamic University of Science and Technology awarded for water conservation studies
TWAS Fellow Shakeel Ahmed and his team at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Kashmir, led the award‑winning water conservation initiative for which IUST received the 6th National Water Award from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The model is now being sustained on campus and extended for technology transfer. More

Yusuf Mohammad Seikh receives high-level Indian recognition
Indian TWAS Fellow Yusuf Mohammad Seikh of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, has been honoured with the Vigyan Shri award at the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 for his distinguished contributions in the field of atomic energy, including strengthening nuclear research reactors and related technologies. More

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Top-notch programmes at VinUniversity
VinUniversity is recruiting distinguished scholars in science and technology across various disciplines. Applications for its LEADERS 10 and FACULTY 200 high-profile programmes are welcome. Deadlines: 31 January. More

HIAS Fellowships 2027–2028
HIAS offers 12 individual fellowships to outstanding scholars and artists who are granted full freedom to pursue their own research projects (3–10 months) on-site in Hamburg.  Researchers of all disciplines and all career stages from the postdoctoral level onwards, as well as outstanding artists and cultural professionals from all parts of the world are welcome to apply. Deadline: 2 March. More

UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev International Prize: call is open
The fourth edition of the UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences is seeking nominations. The prize awards scientific achievements conducive to socio-economic transformation and impact development on a regional or global scale. Deadline: 15 March. More

2026 UNESCO–Equatorial Guinea fellowships available to young African women scientists
UNESCO and Equatorial Guinea are introducing their first fellowship programme dedicated to young African women scientists, offering real opportunities for them to engage in life science fields. Deadline: 31 March. More

Seeking outstanding nominations for UNESCO–Equatorial Guinea international prize
The 10th edition of the UNESCO–Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences is now open. It honours individuals, groups and organizations whose work significantly advances human well‑being. Deadline: 31 March. More

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From left: Giuseppe Zafarana, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eni (photo=Eni SpA)

Karin HERRERA, Vice President, Republic of Guatemala, Guatemala. (Photo: Mario Marques) 

"We are confident that science must play a central role in shaping public policies
that advance the well-being of all."

Guatemalan vice-president Karin Herrera
during her keynote address at the 17th TWAS General Conference

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