TWAS and its Regional Partners have announced updated eligibility criteria for TWAS Young Affiliates designed to make the nomination process more inclusive and equitable. The new guidelines introduce greater flexibility regarding age and doctoral degree requirements, allowing candidates to qualify either by being 40 years old or younger with a PhD, or by holding a PhD awarded within the last five years for men and eight years for women, regardless of age.
In addition, evaluation of scientific achievements will now emphasize the quality, relevance, and impact of research, while considering the context in which it was conducted—including resources and infrastructure available to the scientist.
Exceptions to residency requirements may be granted for female scientists and those displaced or in exile, ensuring fairness and consistency through a formal review process.
From hereon, the full eligibility requirements for the TWAS Young Affiliates Programme are:
1. Age and doctoral degree
Candidates must meet one of the following requirements:
Be 40 years of age or younger while holding a PhD degree, or
Possess a PhD degree awarded within the last five years for male candidates, or within the last eight years for female candidates, with no age restriction.
2. Residency and professional experience
Candidates must have resided and worked in a developing country for at least the three years immediately prior to their nomination.
3. Scientific publications and research context
A strong record of scientific publications is essential. Evaluation will be qualitative, focusing on:
Quality of each publication
Relevance of the candidate's research field
Impact and significance of the research
In addition, the research environment will be considered, including available infrastructure, resources, and working conditions. This contextual analysis provides a more holistic and equitable assessment of scientific achievement, acknowledging that researchers in different settings face varying levels of support and access to resources.
4. Exceptions and special considerations
Exceptions to residency and work experience requirements may be granted for:
Female scientists
Scientists who are displaced or in exile
Nominations requesting exceptions must include a thorough and detailed explanation of the circumstances justifying the request.
These changes reflect TWAS’s commitment to recognizing excellence in science while acknowledging diverse career paths and challenges faced by researchers worldwide.