The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) has officially opened nominations for the 2026 TWAS-Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences.
This prestigious initiative aims to spotlight and celebrate the groundbreaking research of women scientists working in Africa’s Least Developed Countries.
Named in honor of TWAS President Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, the award underscores a commitment to fostering scientific excellence in regions where resources are often limited.
It recognizes individuals who have made significant strides in the biological sciences while living and working in challenging environments.
Funding and benefits
The recipient of this distinguished honor will receive a cash prize of USD 5,000.
This funding is generously provided by Professor Abdool Karim herself to support the continued professional growth and research efforts of the winning scientist.
Beyond the monetary reward, the award offers global visibility and recognition within the international scientific community.
Winners join an elite group of past laureates who have pioneered research in fields ranging from malaria immunity to environmentally friendly pest control.
Application requirements and eligibility
To be eligible, nominees must be female scientists who are nationals of a Least Developed African country and have lived and worked there for at least two years prior to nomination.
Candidates must be 45 years of age or younger to qualify for the 2026 cycle.
It is important to note that the award does not accept self-nominations or nominations from jury members.
Candidates must be put forward by science academies, national research councils, universities, or TWAS members, and previous winners of TWAS-named awards are ineligible.
Nominators are required to submit a comprehensive dossier via the TWAS online platform.
This package must include the nominee’s CV, a list of their ten most significant publications, their Google Scholar h-index, and a detailed supporting statement highlighting the impact of their work.
Deadline
The final date to submit electronic nominations is 30 June 2026.
Interested organizations and nominators are encouraged to start the process early to ensure all technical requirements and character limits are met before the portal closes.
To apply, visit TWAS call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
