TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Program 2026 (Fully-funded)

One Portal for Opportunities

TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Program 2026 (Fully-funded)

October 15, 2025

Italy

Master Degree

All Nationalities

both

Share via:

UNESCO-World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is accepting applications for the 2026 TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Program. This opportunity is open to applicants with master’s degrees from all Least Developed Countries.

In association with the Lincei Academy and the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), UNESCO-TWAS invites young scientists from Least Developed Countries to visit research laboratories in Centres of Excellence in Trieste, Italy. Applicants’ research proposals must be relevant to topics that promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fall under the umbrella of sustainability science.

These exchange scholarships accomplish the following two goals:
To improve gifted scientists’ research capacities, especially those who are just beginning their research careers, to expedite the development of research connections in anticipation of future cooperation.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation will pay for travel and lodging expenses while in Italy through UNESCO-TWAS. According to a negotiated agreement between the two organizations, UNESCO is responsible for the administration and financial operations of TWAS.

About the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS):

TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences) is a merit-based science academy established for developing nations, bringing together approximately 1,000 scientists from around 70 countries. Its key objective is to advance scientific excellence and capability for sustainable development in the least developed countries.

Brief Details

Application Deadline: 15 October 2025

Duration: 3 Months

Degree Required: Master’s of Science (MSc.)

Age Limit: 40 Years

Host Country: Italy

Eligible Nations: Least developed countries (Afghanistan included)

Organized by: UNESCO- World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

Partner Organizations:

Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei
SISSA – Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati

Supporting Bodies:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation

Benefits of the TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Program

Through UNESCO-TWAS, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will pay travel and subsistence expenses for a visit to Italy.

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply for the TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Program?

The applicants must be citizens of one of the least developed nations.
Candidates must hold an MSc degree (or equivalent).
The applicant’s age on 31 December of the application year may not exceed 40.
Applications will be considered only in the defined and indicated scientific subjects on the application form.
Candidates must have an employment letter in research in one of the least developed nations.
Candidates who are already present in the host nation are ineligible.
Research proposals under the purview of sustainability science will receive special consideration.
Applications from women scientists are encouraged.

Suitable Host Institutions

The following host universities are eligible:

International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA)
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)
Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS)
Trieste University- units.it/en
University of Udine – uniud.it/en
Materials Foundry-National Research Council – IOM-CNR
Area Science Park – areasciencepark.it/
Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste – elettra.eu/

Scientific Eligible Fields

Only applications in the fields listed below are considered. Research proposals must be relevant to areas that support the SDGs.

physics
neuroscience
mathematics
science outreach
covid-related project
oceanography
sustainable blue economy
geophysics
seismology
chemical and pharmaceutical sciences
computer science
geosciences
biomedicine
environmental biology
psychology
humanities
agricultural, environmental, and animal sciences
cultural heritage
genomics and epigenomics laboratory
electron microscopy laboratory
atomic and molecular physics
atomic force microscopy
high-pressure x-ray diffraction
inelastic ultraviolet scattering
infrared microscopy
laser physics
mechanical engineering
optics, including X-ray optics
Solid-state photoelectron spectroscopy and Spectromicroscopy
Structural Biology and Macromolecular Crystallography
science and technology
X-ray absorption and X-ray fluorescence
X-ray imaging and tomography
and more fields

Documents Requirement

Please submit the following required application documents:

Completed application form
Copy of passport, even if expired
Curriculum vitae (CV)
A statement on scientific interests and plans for research
Complete list of publications, excluding reprints of articles
Copy of the MSc (or higher) certificate
One updated invitation letter from one of the eligible host laboratories above
Recent letters of recommendation, separately submittable to TWAS by two referees familiar with the applicant’s work; the Referees’ signatures are required.