TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme Grant

TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
Last Updated: March 07, 2026

Summary

The TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme supports young scientists from least developed countries to enhance their research skills. Participants holding an MSc or higher can visit esteemed research laboratories in Italy for three months. The program aims to promote collaboration in sustainability science aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Funded by UNESCO-TWAS and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it covers travel and living expenses, fostering international scientific partnerships.

Overview

The World Academy of Sciences The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries, known worldwide by its acronym, TWAS, supports sustainable prosperity through research, education, policy and diplomacy. The Academy is based in Trieste, Italy. TWAS was founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the developing world, under the leadership of Abdus Salam, the Pakistani physicist and Nobel laureate. They shared a belief that developing nations, by building strength in science and engineering, could build the knowledge and skill to address such challenges as hunger, disease and poverty. From the start, the Academy had essential support from Italian scientists and political leaders. Today, TWAS more than 1,400 elected fellows — some of the world's most accomplished scientists and engineers — representing 112 countries; 13 of them are Nobel laureates. About 84 per cent come from developing nations, and the rest are scientists from the developed world whose work has had a significant impact in the South. TWAS fellows are the foundation for all of the Academy's work. TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme Young scientists from least developed countries who hold an MSc (or higher degree) can visit research laboratories in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region of Italy for three months to carry out collaborative research projects and/or training internships in the fields that fall under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A South-North-South Circular Programme for Sustainable Development UNESCO-TWAS, in collaboration with the Lincei Academy and the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), offers young scientists from Least Developed Countries the opportunity to visit either research laboratories at Centres of Excellence in Trieste or Udine, Italy. Research proposals must fall under the umbrella of sustainability science and thus be relevant to areas that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The purpose of these exchange fellowships is twofold: To enhance the capacity of promising experts, especially those at the beginning of their career To catalyze the formation of links for further collaboration. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, through UNESCO-TWAS, will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Italy. The administration and financial operation of TWAS is undertaken by UNESCO in accordance with an agreement signed by the two organizations.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Research Visits to Centres of ExcellenceApplicants must be a maximum age of 40 years on 31 December of the application yearApplicants must hold an MSc (or higher degree)Applicants must be nationals of a least developed countryApplicants must hold a research position in a least developed countryParticular attention will be given to research projects that fall under the umbrella of sustainability scienceWomen scientists are encouraged to applyApplicants already on site in the host country are not eligibleOnly applications in the scientific fields listed in the application form will be considered. Eligible host institutions are the following: International School for Advanced Studies - SISSAInternational Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology - ICGEBNational Institute for Nuclear Physics - INFN (only one host supervisor available: Prof. Andrea Vacchi)National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGSUniversity of Trieste University of Udine Materials Foundry-National Research Council - IOM-CNRArea Science Park Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste Research proposals must be relevant to areas that support the SDGs.