TWAS Visiting Expert Programme 2026: International Research Collaboration, Expert Visits and Opportunities for Scientific Institutions in Developing Countries

The TWAS Visiting Expert Programme is offering scientific institutions and research groups in developing countries an opportunity to strengthen their research capacity by inviting internationally recognised scientists to share their expertise. The programme focuses on building lasting international research partnerships, improving scientific training, and supporting the development of research activities in countries that may have limited access to international scientific networks.

Organised by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), the programme is particularly relevant to institutions in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and other developing countries that want to improve their research and teaching capabilities through collaboration with experienced scientists.

Through the programme, eligible host institutions can invite internationally recognised experts in the natural sciences, excluding mathematics and physics, for a visit lasting between two and four weeks. During the visit, the expert may collaborate with researchers, deliver lectures and seminars, supervise students, conduct research, support training activities, and discuss future partnerships.

TWAS provides the visiting expert with the most direct economy-class round-trip travel, while the host institution is responsible for local expenses. The programme also requires the visiting expert and host institution to report on the outcomes and impact of the visit.

The application deadline for the current call is 23 November 2026. Institutions interested in participating should begin identifying suitable experts, developing a clear research and training programme, and preparing the required supporting documents before submitting an application through the official online portal.

About the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme

The TWAS Visiting Expert Programme is designed to strengthen scientific capacity in developing countries by connecting institutions with internationally recognised experts in relevant scientific fields.

Scientific progress depends not only on funding, laboratory facilities, and equipment but also on access to specialised knowledge, experienced researchers, effective mentorship, and international collaboration. Institutions with limited external scientific connections may face challenges establishing new research directions, training emerging researchers, or developing partnerships with leading research centres.

The Visiting Expert Programme seeks to address these challenges by enabling institutions to invite experienced scientists who can contribute directly to research, teaching, and professional development.

Instead of limiting the visit to formal lectures, the programme encourages meaningful engagement between the visiting expert and the host institution. The expert is expected to work closely with faculty members and students to strengthen existing academic activities or help establish new areas of research.

The programme can therefore support several institutional priorities, including:

• Improving the quality of scientific research and training.
• Strengthening the research skills of faculty members and students.
• Introducing new research methodologies and areas of scientific inquiry.
• Developing long-term partnerships with internationally recognised researchers.
• Expanding access to scientific expertise that may not be readily available locally.
• Supporting the development of research capacity in institutions across developing countries.
• Encouraging future collaboration between host institutions and international scientific networks.

An important feature of the programme is its focus on lasting institutional benefits. The objective is not simply to bring an expert into a country for a short visit, but to create opportunities for continued cooperation that can contribute to scientific advancement after the visit has ended.

Objectives of the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme

The programme has several closely related objectives centred on scientific excellence, research capacity, and international collaboration.

1. Strengthening scientific research capacity

One of the main objectives is to help institutions in developing countries improve their ability to conduct high-quality scientific research.

A visiting expert can introduce new approaches to research design, experimental methods, data analysis, scientific writing, and the interpretation of findings. Depending on the expert’s field and the host institution’s priorities, the visit may also help researchers identify new questions, refine existing projects, and develop proposals for future investigations.

These activities can strengthen the host institution’s research capabilities and support its long-term academic development.

2. Improving scientific training and mentorship

The programme provides opportunities for faculty members, postgraduate students, and other research personnel to learn from internationally recognised scientists.

The visiting expert may supervise students, deliver specialised lectures, conduct seminars, and provide guidance on research projects. This direct engagement can help participants develop technical knowledge, improve their research practices, and gain a clearer understanding of international scientific standards.

For postgraduate students and early-career researchers, access to experienced scientific mentors may also help them identify future research opportunities and establish professional relationships beyond their home institution.

3. Establishing long-term international partnerships

A central objective of the programme is to encourage long-term relationships between institutions in developing countries and leading scientists elsewhere.

During the visit, the expert and host institution can discuss opportunities for future collaborative research, joint publications, academic exchanges, research supervision, and other forms of scientific cooperation.

Such relationships may help institutions maintain access to specialised expertise and identify further opportunities for international engagement.

4. Supporting institutions with limited external contacts

The programme particularly highlights institutions and research groups that have limited outside scientific contacts.

For these institutions, an international expert visit can provide access to knowledge, networks, and research practices that might otherwise be difficult to obtain.

The programme also places particular emphasis on Least Developed Countries, where strengthening scientific capacity can contribute to the development of local research institutions and scientific communities.

5. Supporting the development of new research directions

A host institution may already have established research programmes but wish to expand into new areas or introduce additional scientific methods.

A visiting expert can help assess the institution’s existing capabilities, identify potential research gaps, and advise on how new lines of research could be developed.

This collaboration may help institutions broaden their research activities and improve their ability to respond to scientific, technological, environmental, agricultural, health, or other development-related challenges, depending on their field of expertise.

These objectives collectively position the programme as an institutional capacity-building initiative rather than a conventional individual study opportunity.

Who Can Benefit From the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme?

An important point for prospective applicants is that the programme is primarily designed for institutions seeking to invite an expert, rather than individual researchers applying to travel independently.

The prospective host institution submits the application and identifies an internationally recognised scientist whose expertise can strengthen its research and training activities.

Eligible host institutions

The programme is intended for institutions and research groups located in developing countries in the South, particularly Least Developed Countries and institutions with limited international scientific contacts.

Potential hosts may include eligible universities, scientific research institutions, and research groups seeking to improve their research programmes or establish new lines of scientific investigation.

A host institution should be able to explain how the proposed visit will contribute to its academic, research, or training priorities.

Requirements for the visiting expert

The invited scientist must meet the programme’s expectations for scientific expertise and international recognition.

Key requirements and conditions include:

• Academic qualification: The programme lists a PhD as the minimum degree held.
• International recognition: Only scientists who have attained international recognition in their scientific fields will be considered for support.
• Relevant expertise: The expert’s knowledge must align with the proposed research or training activities.
• Research and teaching contribution: The proposed visit should include meaningful collaboration with faculty members and students.
• Availability: The expert must be able to spend at least two weeks at the host institution.
• Age: The programme lists no age limit.
• Nationality: The official page does not restrict the nationality of invited experts.

Women scientists are particularly encouraged through the programme’s stated commitment to equal opportunities.

Eligible Research Fields: Which Scientific Disciplines Are Covered?

The TWAS Visiting Expert Programme supports visits in the natural sciences, with one important exclusion: mathematics and physics are not covered under this particular programme.

The host institution should therefore select an expert whose scientific field falls within the programme’s scope and whose contribution matches the institution’s research priorities.

Depending on the proposed project, eligible natural-science activities may involve areas such as:

• Biological sciences and life sciences.
• Chemistry and related scientific disciplines.
• Earth and environmental sciences.
• Agricultural and other relevant natural-science research.
• Scientific research methods, laboratory practice, and specialised training within eligible fields.

These are illustrative examples of natural-science areas; the official call does not provide an exhaustive list of eligible subdisciplines. Institutions should confirm that a proposed field and activity are appropriate before applying.

What if the proposed visit focuses on mathematics or physics?

The programme explicitly directs proposals in mathematics and physics to the Visiting Scholar/Consultant Programme administered through the Office of External Activities at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy.

Duration of the Visit and Expected Activities

The programme supports short-term expert visits lasting between two and four weeks. The minimum required stay at the host institution is two weeks.

During this period, the visiting expert is expected to engage closely with the institution’s faculty and students and contribute to strengthening existing research and teaching activities or establishing new ones.

The specific programme of activities should reflect the host institution’s needs and the expert’s area of specialisation.

Possible activities include:

1. Research collaboration

The visiting expert can work with local researchers on ongoing projects, discuss research methodologies, contribute specialist knowledge, and help identify new scientific questions or research directions.

2. Lectures and seminars

The expert may deliver lectures and seminars for students and researchers. These sessions can introduce advanced concepts, share current scientific developments, and strengthen participants’ understanding of relevant research methods.

3. Student supervision and mentorship

The visiting expert may supervise students and provide guidance on research design, scientific analysis, project development, and other relevant academic activities.

4. Research training

The visit can support the transfer of specialist knowledge and skills to faculty members, postgraduate students, and research personnel. Depending on the project, this may involve practical training, methodological guidance, or collaborative scientific work.

5. Development of future partnerships

The expert and host institution can discuss opportunities for future research cooperation and other collaborative activities. This is particularly important because the programme seeks to establish long-term links rather than support isolated visits.

6. Strengthening institutional research programmes

The visit should contribute to existing activities or help the institution establish new lines of research. The host should therefore identify specific objectives and expected outcomes before the expert arrives.

The programme’s emphasis on direct interaction means that institutions should design visits around meaningful research and training activities rather than treating them solely as ceremonial or observational engagements.

What Financial Support Does the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme Provide?

The programme provides specific travel support to facilitate the expert’s visit.

Round-trip international travel

TWAS provides the visiting expert with the most direct economy-class round-trip travel.

Local expenses

The host institution is expected to cover local expenses associated with the visit.

Institutions should plan their budgets carefully and clarify what local costs will need to be covered. The official programme page does not state that all accommodation, meals, local transportation, or other expenses are separately paid by TWAS.

Accordingly, the opportunity should not automatically be described as a fully funded visit. Its stated financial provision is the expert’s most direct economy-class round-trip travel, while the host institution is responsible for local expenses.

Before submitting an application, the host institution should confirm its ability to meet these responsibilities and make suitable arrangements for the expert’s stay.

Application Deadline for the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme 2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE

23 November 2026

Applications must be submitted online by the published deadline.

Institutions interested in inviting an expert should begin preparations early enough to identify a suitable scientist, agree on the research and teaching programme, obtain the required institutional endorsement, and upload all supporting documents.

The application must be submitted through the official online system. The programme’s published page does not provide a separate extension date, so institutions should plan to submit before 23 November 2026.

Documents Required for the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme

The application process requires the host institution to upload three principal documents.

1. Brief CV of the visiting expert and publication list

The application must include a brief curriculum vitae for the proposed visiting expert, with a maximum length of 10 pages, together with a list of publications.

The CV should clearly establish the scientist’s academic qualifications, research expertise, professional experience, and relevant scientific achievements. The publication list provides supporting evidence of their research contributions and international standing.

Institutions should ensure that the CV and publication list accurately reflect the expert’s background and are appropriate for the proposed activities.

2. Letter from the visiting expert

The proposed expert must provide a letter explaining the research and teaching programme with which they could assist the host institution.

The official online form provides a template for this letter.

The proposed programme should explain how the expert intends to contribute to the institution’s research and training activities. It should be aligned with the host’s needs and demonstrate how the visit could strengthen existing work or support the development of new research directions.

A clear, well-structured proposal can help the institution present the purpose and expected value of the visit.

3. Supporting statement from the head of the host institution

The application must also include a supporting statement from the head of the host institution. A template is available in the online application form.

This statement provides institutional support for the proposed visit and helps establish that the collaboration is relevant to the host institution’s priorities.

The institution should ensure that the statement is completed by the appropriate authority and that it supports the activities outlined in the expert’s letter.

Document preparation checklist

Before submitting the application, the host institution should confirm that it has:

• Identified a suitable internationally recognised expert.
• Obtained the expert’s CV of no more than 10 pages.
• Prepared the expert’s list of publications.
• Obtained the expert’s letter describing the proposed research and teaching programme.
• Completed the supporting statement from the head of the host institution.
• Checked that all documents are consistent with the proposed visit.
• Confirmed the institution’s capacity to cover local expenses.
• Reviewed the online application for completeness before submission.

These documents should be uploaded through the official application portal.

How to Apply for the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme: Step-by-Step Guide

The programme uses an institutional application process. Interested research institutions must submit their proposals online and provide the required supporting documents.

Step 1: Identify an institutional research need

The host institution should first identify a research or training priority that could benefit from the involvement of an internationally recognised scientist.

For example, the institution may need assistance strengthening an existing research programme, introducing new scientific methods, improving postgraduate training, or establishing a new area of research.

The proposed visit should respond to a genuine institutional need.

Step 2: Identify an appropriate visiting expert

The institution should identify a scientist whose academic background, research expertise, and international recognition align with the proposed activities.

The scientist should have a PhD and be able to contribute meaningfully to the planned research, teaching, and training programme.

The institution should also confirm the scientist’s willingness and availability to participate in a visit lasting at least two weeks.

Step 3: Develop the research and teaching programme

Work with the proposed expert to define the activities planned for the visit.

The programme should explain the research collaboration, training activities, lectures, seminars, student supervision, or other contributions the expert will undertake.

It should also establish how these activities will strengthen existing institutional work or help create new research directions.

Step 4: Prepare the supporting documents

Collect the visiting expert’s CV and publication list, the expert’s letter describing the proposed research and teaching programme, and the supporting statement from the head of the host institution.

Use the templates provided in the online application form where applicable.

Step 5: Submit the application online

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Complete the required form and upload the supporting documents. Applications are accepted through the online portal.

Step 6: Plan for implementation and reporting

The institution and visiting expert should be prepared to document the outcomes of the visit.

After the visit, both parties are required to provide comprehensive reports describing the impact on the host institution’s educational and research programmes.

Institutions should therefore consider how they will assess the visit’s contribution to research capacity, student development, faculty engagement, and future collaboration.

Important Programme Rules and Conditions

Before applying, host institutions and proposed visiting experts should take note of the following conditions.

• Online applications only: Applications must be submitted through the official online portal.
• Minimum duration: The visit must last at least two weeks.
• Research field restrictions: Mathematics and physics proposals should be directed to the relevant ICTP programme.
• Travel arrangements: TWAS provides the most direct economy-class round-trip travel, while the host institution covers local expenses.
• International recognition: Only experts who have attained international recognition in their scientific fields will be considered for support.
• Equal opportunities: Nominations of women are particularly welcomed.
• Renewal: Applications to renew successful visits may be considered in subsequent years.
• Annual programme restriction: Applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year within the TWAS and OWSD portfolio. A specific exception applies to the head of an institution who invites an external scholar under the TWAS Visiting Professor programmes.
• Final reporting: Both the visiting expert and the host institution must submit comprehensive reports after the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme

1. What is the TWAS Visiting Expert Programme?

It is a programme that helps scientific institutions and research groups in developing countries invite internationally recognised scientists to contribute to research, training, teaching, and institutional capacity-building.

2. Who submits the application?

The prospective host institution submits the online application to invite the proposed visiting expert. It is not structured as an ordinary individual scholarship application for a researcher seeking to travel independently.

3. What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 23 November 2026.

4. How long does the visit last?

The programme lists a duration of two to four weeks, with a minimum stay of two weeks at the host institution.

5. Which countries can host a visiting expert?

The programme supports institutions in developing countries in the South, with particular emphasis on Least Developed Countries and institutions with limited external scientific contacts.

6. Can scientists from any country be invited?

The official programme lists eligible invitees as “Any” and does not state a nationality restriction for visiting experts. The proposed scientist must, however, meet the academic and international-recognition requirements.

7. Is there an age limit?

No age limit is listed on the official programme page.

8. Does TWAS pay for the entire visit?

Not necessarily. TWAS provides the visiting expert’s most direct economy-class round-trip travel. The host institution is expected to cover local expenses. The official page does not promise comprehensive funding for all costs.

9. Can mathematics and physics researchers apply?

These fields are excluded from this particular programme. Proposals in mathematics and physics should be directed to the Visiting Scholar/Consultant Programme of ICTP’s Office of External Activities.

10. What documents are required?

The host institution must upload the visiting expert’s brief CV of no more than 10 pages and publication list, a letter from the expert detailing the research and teaching programme, and a supporting statement from the head of the host institution.

11. Are women scientists encouraged to participate?

Yes. TWAS explicitly states that nominations of women are particularly welcomed as part of its commitment to equal opportunities.

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Conclusion

The TWAS Visiting Expert Programme provides an important opportunity for scientific institutions in developing countries to strengthen their research and training capacity through collaboration with internationally recognised scientists. By facilitating expert visits, the programme helps institutions access specialised knowledge, improve scientific training, develop new research directions, and establish international partnerships that may continue beyond the initial visit.

The programme is especially relevant to institutions in Least Developed Countries and research groups that have limited access to international scientific networks. Its emphasis on direct engagement with faculty and students, research collaboration, and institutional development makes it a useful mechanism for strengthening local scientific capacity.

However, prospective participants should understand that the host institution is responsible for submitting the application and covering local expenses, while TWAS provides the visiting expert’s most direct economy-class round-trip travel. Institutions must also ensure that the proposed expert meets the qualification and international-recognition requirements and that the research falls within the programme’s eligible fields.

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With the application deadline set for 23 November 2026, interested institutions should begin identifying suitable experts, developing their research and teaching plans, and preparing the required documents as early as possible.