Application guidelines

Eligibility

Applicants for these Fellowships must meet the following criteria:

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  be a maximum age of 45 years on 31 December of the year of application;
  
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  hold a PhD degree in a field of natural sciences;
  
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  be nationals of a developing country (other than Pakistan);
  
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  must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in Pakistan or any developed country;
  
• 
  be regularly employed in a developing country (other than Pakistan) and hold a research assignment there;
  
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  provide a certificate of good health from a qualified medical doctor;
  
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  provide an official Acceptance Letter from ICCBS (see sample Acceptance Letter, page 6). Requests for acceptance must be directed to the Director of ICCBS, Prof. M. I. Choudhary by e-mail ([e-mail] or [e-mail]) who will facilitate the assignment of a host supervisor. In contacting Prof. Choudhary applicants must accompany their request for a preliminary acceptance letter with copy of their CV, a research proposal outline and two recommendation letters;
  
• 
  provide evidence of proficiency in English, if medium of education was not English;
  
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  provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship;
  
• 
  not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship;
  
• 
  be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.
  

Submitting your application

The call for applications is open from April until 31 August each year.

• 
  Applicants must submit an Acceptance Letter from ICCBS when applying, or by the deadline at the latest. Without preliminary acceptance the application will not be considered for selection.
  
• 
  Reference letters must be on letter-headed paper, SIGNED and sent as attachments via e-mail directly to TWAS and a copy to the Director of ICCBS. The subject line must contain IACS/PDoc and the candidate’s surname. N.B. Only signed reference letters can be accepted. The letters can be submitted either by the referee or by the applicant directly.
  
• 
  Applicants to the TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme should send one copy of their application to TWAS only (by email). Please do not send a copy to ICCBS.
  

CONTACT Details

TWAS Fellowships Office ICTP campus, Strada Costiera 11 34151 Trieste, Italy Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary Director International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) University of Karachi, Karachi-75270 Pakistan Tel:    [phone]   Fax:    [phone] E-mail: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

Application Guidelines: TWAS-NCP, Pakistan
TWAS-NCP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme

Deadline for receipt of applications: 15 September
Programme Details

• 
  TWAS-NCP Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable in the departments and laboratories of the National Centre for Physics (NCP) – www.ncp.edu.pk– for a minimum period of six months to a maximum period of twelve months in one of the following fields of physics: Plasma Physics, High Energy Physics (Experimental and Theoretical), Quantum Information, Applications of Ion Beam Techniques using Tandem Accelerator (5MV), Earthquake Studies, Atomic Physics & Spectroscopy, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Modeling, Simulation & Computing, Astrophysics & Cosmology, Nano Sciences (Catalysis & Surface Sciences, Nano Material Fabrication & Applications, Nano Biotechnology, Nano Medicines), Vacuum Science & Technology (Vacuum Standards, Vacuum Coating & Material).
  
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  NCP will provide a monthly stipend which should be used to cover living costs such as food, accommodation and health insurance. The monthly stipend will not be convertible into foreign currency.
  
• 
  The language of instruction is English.
  

Eligibility

Applicants for these fellowships must meet the following criteria:

• 
  be nationals of a developing country (other than Pakistan);
  
• 
  must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in Pakistan or any developed country;
  
• 
  hold a PhD degree in a field of natural sciences;
  
• 
  apply for the fellowship within five years of having obtained a PhD degree in a field of the natural sciences;
  
• 
  be regularly employed in a developing country (other than Pakistan) and hold a research assignment there;
  
• 
  provide a certificate of good health from a qualified medical doctor;
  
• 
  provide an official Acceptance Letter from NCP (see sample Acceptance Letter on page 6). Requests for acceptance must be sent to Director, Collaboration & Academic Activities Department (CAAD) ([e-mail]) who will facilitate assignment of a host supervisor. In contacting the Director, CAAD applicants must accompany their request for an Acceptance Letter with copy of their CV and a research proposal outline;
  
• 
  provide evidence of proficiency in English, if medium of education was not English;
  
• 
  provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship;
  
• 
  not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship;
  
• 
  be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.
  

Submitting your application

The call for applications is open from April until 15 September of each year.

• 
  Applicants must submit an Acceptance Letter from NCP when applying, or by the deadline at the latest. Without preliminary acceptance the application will not be considered for selection.
  
• 
  Reference letters must be on letter-headed paper, SIGNED and sent as attachments via e-mail to TWAS and NCP. The subject line must contain NCP/PDoc and the candidate’s surname. N.B. Only signed reference letters can be accepted. The letters can be submitted either by the referee or by the applicant directly.
  
• 
  Applicants to the TWAS-NCP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme should send a copy of their application (by email) to TWAS and to NCP. For NCP only: both hardcopy by post and soft copy by email.
  

CONTACT DETAILS TWAS Fellowships Office ICTP campus, Strada Costiera 11 34151 Trieste, Italy Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

Director, Collaboration & Academic Activities Department (CAAD) National Centre for Physics (NCP) Quaid-e-Azam University Campus, Shahdara Valley Road Islamabad, Pakistan Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Application Guidelines: TWAS-CIIT, Pakistan
TWAS-CIIT Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme

Deadline for receipt of applications: 31 August
Programme Details

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  TWAS-CIIT Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable in the departments and laboratories of the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) – www.ciit.edu.pk– for a minimum period of six months to a maximum period of twelve months.
  
• 
  CIIT will provide a monthly stipend which should be used to cover living costs such as food, accommodation and health insurance. The monthly stipend will not be convertible into foreign currency.
  
• 
  The language of instruction is English.
  

Eligibility

Applicants for these fellowships must meet the following criteria:

• 
  be nationals of a developing country (other than Pakistan);
  
• 
  must not be on site in Pakistan;
  
• 
  must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in Pakistan or any developed country;
  
• 
  hold a PhD degree in a field of natural sciences;
  
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  IF applying in a field of eligible social sciences, hold a PhD degree in a field of social sciences;
  
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  apply for the fellowship within five years of having obtained a PhD degree;
  
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  be regularly employed in a developing country (other than Pakistan) and hold a research assignment there;
  
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  provide a certificate of good health from a qualified medical doctor;
  
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  provide an official Acceptance Letter from CIIT (see sample Acceptance Letter on page 6). Requests for acceptance must be sent to Dr. Tariq-Ur-Rahman, ([e-mail]) who will facilitate assignment of a host supervisor. In contacting Dr. Tariq-Ur-Rahman, applicants must accompany their request for a Acceptance Letter with copy of their CV and a research proposal outline;
  
• 
  provide evidence of proficiency in English, if medium of education was not English;
  
• 
  provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship;
  
• 
  not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship;
  
• 
  be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.
  

Submitting your application

The call for applications is open from April until 31 August of each year.

• 
  Applicants must submit a Acceptance Letter from CIIT when applying, or by the deadline at the latest. Without preliminary acceptance the application will not be considered for selection.
  
• 
  Reference letters must be on letter-headed paper, SIGNED and sent as attachments via e-mail to TWAS and CIIT. The subject line must contain CIIT/PDoc and the candidate’s surname. N.B. Only signed reference letters can be accepted. The letters can be submitted either by the referee or by the applicant directly.
  
• 
  Applicants to the TWAS-CIIT Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme should send a copy of their application (by email) to both TWAS and to CIIT.
  

CONTACT DETAILS TWAS Fellowships Office ICTP campus, Strada Costiera 11 34151 Trieste, Italy Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

Dr. Tariq-Ur-Rahman Advisor (German Desk) International Office, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) Park Road, Chak Shahzad Islamabad Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-Mail: [e-mail]

Additional information: TWAS-NRF, South Africa

TWAS-NRF Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme

Deadline for receipt of applications: 2 October 2015

Programme Details

• 
  TWAS-NRF Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable at research institutions in South Africa for a minimum period of six months to a maximum period of three years. They are awarded to scientists from developing countries (other than South Africa) to enable them to pursue postdoctoral research in the natural sciences.
  
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  NRF will provide travel to and from South Africa, a standard monthly allowance which should be used to cover living costs, such as accommodation, food and health insurance. The monthly stipend will not be convertible into foreign currency.
  
• 
  The language of instruction will be English.
  

Eligibility

Applicants for these fellowships must meet the following criteria:

• 
  be nationals of a developing country (other than South Africa);
  
• 
  must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in South Africa or any developed country;
  
• 
  must have obtained a PhD degree in a field of natural sciences;
  
• 
  apply for the fellowship within five (5) years of having obtained a PhD degree in a field of the natural sciences;
  
• 
  be a regular employee in a developing country (other than South Africa) and hold a research assignment there;
  
• 
  provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship;
  
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  not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship;
  
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  provide an official letter from a host South African institution, department or laboratory and motivation from the applicant’s host;
  
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  proof of knowledge of English is preferable, if language of instruction was not English*;
  
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  present a detailed research project that must be registered and approved by the host institution and provide a letter of support from the prospective host supervisor;
  
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  be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.
  

*Preference will be given to applicants that meet the following requirements of the English Language Proficiency Academic test: IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0); or TOEFL (paper) 575 (TWE 4.5); or TOEFL iBIT (min. 20); or Cambridge minimum 58.

Stage 1:

Application for acceptance at South African Institutions

Applicants must contact institutions in South Africa or potential supervisors to obtain a placement into the postdoctoral research training programme. For details of recognised HEIs click here and for other Public Research Institutions click here.

An official letter of acceptance must be obtained from the potential host institution and/or supervisor. The letter must cover detail on:

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  The research project to be undertaken by the applicant; and
  
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  Available infrastructure and facilities for an enabling environment for host’s research
  

Application for evaluation of foreign qualifications from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Applicants are advised to start this process early to allow time for processing. Information on the process can be accessed by logging on to www.saqa.org.za. On the SAQA website, navigate to Service - Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications - General Information. Applicants must strictly adhere to all the instructions and provide all applicable documents to avoid delays and rejection of applications. Applicants are advised to courier all application documents to SAQA directly.

Stage 2:

Submitting your application

Applicants must apply for the NRF – TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowship Call for 2016 by accessing the link: https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/ on the NRF Online application system and follow the steps below:

On accessing the link, please follow the following instructions:

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  Individuals that are not registered on the NRF Online system must first register by selecting the ‘new registration’ option and complete all sections.
  
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  Once a profile has been created, login using your passport number and password.
  
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  Select “My Applications”.
  
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  Select “Create Application”.
  
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  Select the call for which you are applying: NRF - TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowship Call for 2016.
  
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  Select “Apply now”.
  
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  Complete all relevent sections of the application form
  
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  Ensure that the Curriculum Vitae section is also completed as the information submitted therein will also be used to evaluate your application.
  

Please attach the required documents in one PDF file in the following order:

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  Passport;
  
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  Official acceptance letter from host institution;
  
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  Certified copies of undergraduate and postgraduate certificates;
  
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  Letter of release from employer in home country;
  
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  English Language Proficiency Academic test if available; and
  
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  SAQA evaluation certificate if available.
  

Should you not follow the guidelines for attaching the necessary documents, your application will not be considered.

Remember to submit your application upon completion.

The deadline for applications is 2 October 2015.

No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Therefore, it is recommended to submit your electronic application as early as possible.

• 
  The call for applications where you will find the programme details, eligibility criteria, required documents and certificates as well as the online application form will only be available once the call opens. Applicants must be aware that NRF and TWAS will not accept applications submitted by any other means except via the online application portal.
  
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  Incomplete applications will not be considered as will applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria.
  
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  Contact the university postgraduate or research office for queries related to institutional processes and deadlines
  
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  Queries concerning the call for applications to the TWAS-NRF Fellowships programmes should be directed to the contacts below:
  

CONTACT DETAILS TWAS Fellowships Office ICTP campus, Strada Costiera 11 34151 Trieste, Italy Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

National Research Foundation, South Africa For NRF Online application and grants management related enquiries: Ms Zikhona Lose Professional Officer: Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA) Telephone: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail] For funding instrument related enquiries: Ms Nompumelelo Thwala Professional Officer: Human and Infrastructure Capacity Development (HICD) Telephone: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail] For international relations enquiries: Mr Malose Ledwaba Liaison Officer: International Relations and Cooperation Telephone: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]

Additional information: TWAS-BIOTEC, Thailand
TWAS-BIOTEC Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme

Deadline for receipt of applications: 15 September
Programme Details

• 
  TWAS-BIOTEC Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable in BIOTEC and its affiliated research units listed on this website: http://www.biotec.or.th/en/index.php/info-center/allnews/1534-biotec-post-doctoral-fellowship-announcement-2014-2015 for a period of twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) months and are awarded to young scientists from developing countries (other than Thailand) to enable them to pursue advanced research in biotechnology.
  
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  BIOTEC will provide a standard monthly allowance which should be used to cover living costs, such as accommodation and food.
  
• 
  The language of instruction is English.
  

Eligibility

Applicants for these Fellowships must meet the following criteria:

• 
  be nationals of a developing country (other than Thailand);
  
• 
  must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in Thailand or any developed country;
  
  • 
    hold a PhD degree in any of the following fields: molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, protein crystallography, organic chemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, or related disciplines;
    
• 
  apply for the fellowship within five years of having obtained a PhD degree in a fields of the natural sciences specified above;
  
  • 
    be regularly employed at a research and/or teaching institution in their home country where they must hold a research assignment;
    
• 
  provide an official Acceptance Letter from BIOTEC (see sample Acceptance Letter on page 6). Requests for acceptance must be directed to the BIOTEC Research Unit Coordination Division ([e-mail] or [e-mail]) who will facilitate assignment of a host supervisor. In contacting BIOTEC, applicants must accompany their request for an Acceptance Letter with copy of their CV and a research proposal outline;
  
  • 
    provide evidence of proficiency in English, if the medium of instruction was not English;
    
• 
  provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship;
  
• 
  not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship;
  
• 
  be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.
  

Submitting your application

The call for applications is open from April until 15 September of each year.

• 
  Applicants should submit the Acceptance Letter from the BIOTEC Research Unit Coordination Division to TWAS and BIOTEC when applying or by the deadline at the latest. Without preliminary acceptance, the application will not be considered for selection.
  
• 
  Reference letters must be on letter-headed paper, SIGNED and sent as attachments via e-mail to TWAS and BIOTEC. The subject line must contain BIOTEC/PDoc and the candidate’s surname. N.B. Only signed reference letters can be accepted. The letters can be submitted either by the referee or by the applicant directly.
  
• 
  Applicants for the TWAS-BIOTEC Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme should send their application to TWAS and BIOTEC (by email).
  

CONTACT Details

TWAS Fellowships Office ICTP campus, Strada Costiera 11 34151 Trieste, Italy Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

BIOTEC Research Unit Coordination Division National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang Pathumthani 12120 Thailand Tel: [phone] ext. 3154 Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

TWAS South-South Fellowship programme partners

	The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasilia, Brazil – www.cnpq.br – is a foundation linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology. CNPq is one of the major public institutions supporting science, technology and innovation in Brazil and contributes directly to the training of researchers – masters, doctors and specialists – in the various fields of knowledge.
	The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India – www.csir.res.in – is the Indian government's main research and development organization. It consists of a network of 38 institutes and laboratories and 39 outreach centres covering most areas of science and technology.
	The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, India – www.dbt.gov.in – sponsors research in biotechnology at a number of centres of excellence in India, including university departments and CSIR institutes and laboratories.
	The S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, India – www.bose.res.in – was established in Kolkata in 1986 as an autonomous institution by the Department of Science and Technology of the government of India. It has some 36 faculty and scientists active in many areas of physics.
	The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), India – www.iacs.res.in – established in 1876 in Kolkata, is the oldest institute in India devoted to the pursuit of fundamental research in the frontier areas of basic sciences (chemistry and physics). The Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST). I.R. Iran - www.irost.org/en - is a comprehensive science policy research center directly attached to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and is the biggest research center in Iran. IROST is chiefly engaged in development of strategies, policies, R&D systems, management, foresight and evaluation of related Science and Technology (S&T) development and S&T for economic progress.
	The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Kenya – www.icipe.org– based in Nairobi, conducts research and capacity building to ensure food security and improve the overall health status of peoples of the tropics by developing and extending management tools and strategies for harmful and useful arthropods, while preserving the natural resource base.
	The Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) - www.sgs.upm.edu.my , a leading research university in Malaysia is located in Serdang, next to Malaysia’s administrative capital city; Putrajaya. As a world renowned centre of learning and research, UPM has attracted students and staff from all around the world making it a well- respected global entity
	The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) – www.ips.usm.my– is a worldwide renowned institution of higher education that offers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to approximately 20,000 students at 24 schools and 33 centres located in three university campuses.
	The National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT), Mexico - www.conacyt.mx - aims to promote the scientific development and technological modernization of Mexico through developing high level human resources, promoting and maintaining specific research projects, and disseminating scientific and technological information.
	The National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), Pakistan – www.cemb.edu.pk – based in Lahore, has expertise in plant and medical molecular biology and molecular genetics.
	The International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Pakistan – www.iccs.edu – based in Karachi, comprises the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular and Drug Research. The National Centre for Physics (NCP), Islamabad, Pakistan – www.ncp.edu.pk – was established in 1999 to promote research in physics and allied disciplines in Pakistan and the region. The main objective of the centre is to raise the standard of physics at par with international norms of productivity and originality, and to act for the acquisition, generation, transmission and dissemination of knowledge for universities and R&AD organizations in the major areas of physics. COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Pakistan – www.ciit.edu.pk – ranks among the top ten Higher Education Institutions of Pakistan. On the basis of its research output in ISI indexed journals it was ranked at the 6^th position in 2012 by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Besides well-equipped research laboratories for biosciences, chemistry, pharmacy, physics, environment sciences and earth sciences it has research centres for biomedical materials, micro & nano devices, telecommunications and quantum physics The National Research Foundation (NRF) was established as an independent government agency, through the National Research Foundation Act (Act No 23 of 1998). The mandate of the NRF is to promote and support research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge, and thereby contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all South Africans.
	The National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand – www.biotec.or.th - founded in 1983, is a premiere research institute in Thailand and the region, with over 30 laboratories and 150 principle scientists conducting basic and applied research covering a wide spectrum from agricultural science to biomedical science and environmental science.

TWAS is grateful for the administrative and financial support provided by the above organizations in the implementation of the various collaborative fellowship programmes.

TWAS also acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Italy.