AAAS–TWAS Science Diplomacy 2026: Course Closed, Future Call Guide

Current status (verified 21 September 2026): The 2026 AAAS–TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy has concluded. Because the course is an annual recurring programme with durable applicant intent, this URL is retained for the next official call rather than archived.

AAAS–TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy (Italy) Application Process: A Practical Guide for Early-Career Scientists

Science rarely stops at national borders. Research collaborations, health threats, climate risks, and technology standards all move internationally. As a result, governments and global institutions increasingly need people who can translate evidence into policy action. That is exactly where the AAAS–TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy 2026 application process becomes valuable.

This annual in-person course (Trieste, Italy) trains “participant pairs” made up of an early-career scientist and a policy decisionmaker. In this guide, you will learn who can apply, what the organizers fund, which documents matter most, and how to build a strong pair application—without guesswork. 

Overview: What the AAAS–TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy is

The AAAS–TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy is an annual summer course hosted in Trieste, Italy, and jointly organized by AAAS (Washington, DC) and TWAS (Trieste). For the 2026 edition, the course runs 20–23 July 2026, with participants typically returning home on 24 July. 

The program has operated since 2014 and has trained 300+ emerging leaders from 50+ countries. It focuses on science diplomacy concepts and real policy issues in science, technology, environment, and health.

Why science diplomacy training matters now

Science diplomacy is not a “soft skill.” It is a career advantage in research leadership, mission-driven innovation, and international funding ecosystems.

A widely used framework describes science diplomacy through three connected pillars:

• • Science in diplomacy (science informing negotiations)
  • Diplomacy for science (diplomacy enabling research cooperation)
  • Science for diplomacy (science building bridges when politics strain) 

Therefore, if your work touches energy transition, public health, AI governance, biodiversity, or emerging technologies, you will eventually face policy and cross-border constraints. This course helps you speak that language credibly.

Who this course is for

The “participant pair” model (the core requirement)

Applications are invited from pairs, not individuals. The goal is to strengthen long-term connections between scientists and policymakers. Your application must clearly identify both people, and both must commit to attending all course days. If one cannot attend fully, the other is disqualified. 

Participant 1: Early-Career Scientist (ECS)

The ECS should:

• • Have a PhD
  • Be preferably 40 years or below
  • Show research and engagement with international policymaking implications 

Participant 2: Decisionmaker (DM)

The DM:

• • Does not need a PhD
  • Has no age limit
  • Must work in science/technology/innovation policy contexts (for example, government official, policymaker, diplomat, civil servant, funder representative, or staff/expert in an international organization). 

Additional eligibility notes

• The call is open to any country, but funding priority is limited (details below). 
• Both members should ideally work in the same country, but not in the same institution. 
• Applicants must not have attended previous AAAS–TWAS science diplomacy courses or regional workshops. 
• Women, and refugee or displaced scientists, are especially encouraged to apply. 

Key highlights, funding, and what is covered

Costs covered for selected pairs

For pairs selected with organizer support, the organizers state they will cover:

• • Transportation (travel)
  • Accommodation
  • Visa processing fees
  • Meals and incidentals

Important funding reality (read this carefully)

The call is open globally. However, the organizers publish a list of countries prioritized for funding because slots and support are limited. Applicants from countries not on that list may still apply, but if selected, they may need to pay their own travel, while organizers provide meals and local transportation within Trieste. 

In addition, a small number of self-supported pairs (including from high-income countries) may be accepted, with similar local support conditions. 

Who funds the course

The course receives key funding from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and the Golden Family Foundation. 

Step-by-step: How to apply (AAAS–TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy 2026)

Step 1: Confirm dates and deadline

• • Call opening date: 8 December 2025
  • Closing date: 29 January 2026 (midnight CET) 
  • Results notification: end of April 2026 

Because the deadline uses CET, do not assume your local midnight. Submit at least a few days early.

Step 2: Build the right “pair” (strategy that works)

Start by mapping policy proximity. Your decisionmaker should be close enough to act, but senior enough to influence. Good fits often include: government science/innovation departments, national research councils, foreign affairs science desks, climate or health missions, technology standards bodies, or UN-linked programs.

If you are applying from India, you might consider a decisionmaker from a ministry program unit, a state-level innovation mission, a research funding organization, or a science/technology policy cell. What matters is role relevance and commitment.

Step 3: Use the TWAS online portal (email is not accepted)

Applications must be submitted online via the TWAS portal, and the organizers do not accept email submissions. 
Also note: there is one single application form for the pair, started via the “Apply now” button on the official webpage. 

Step 4: Understand who submits the full application

A detail that many applicants miss: the Early-Career Scientist submits both parts of the application on behalf of the pair. 
Therefore, you must coordinate documents early and keep everything consistent.

Step 5: Prepare required documents (do not improvise)

The application requires supporting documents in English. The official requirements include:

For the Early-Career Scientist (ECS): 

• • Passport scan (photo + personal details page)
  • CV (maximum 3 pages)
  • 2–3 reference letters on official letterhead, signed
  • Supporting statement on official letterhead, signed by the head/director of the ECS’s current employer

For the Decisionmaker (DM): 

• • Passport scan (photo + personal details page)
  • CV (maximum 3 pages)
  • A signed “Co-Applicant Decisionmaker Information and Consent” form (downloaded from the official page/portal)

A practical tip: align titles, affiliations, and dates across all letters. Inconsistencies slow evaluation.

Expert tips, common mistakes, and what reviewers look for

Tips that strengthen your application

• • Explain the partnership, not just the people. Show a shared problem both can influence (for example, antimicrobial resistance policy, climate adaptation, AI safety standards, or clean-energy regulation).
  • Use one concrete outcome. For instance: “We will co-design a national stakeholder roundtable within 90 days of return.” That sounds actionable.
  • Demonstrate credibility through engagement. Mention policy briefs, standards committees, public advisory roles, or cross-border collaborations.

Common mistakes to avoid

• • Applying without a confirmed partner. The organizers state incomplete applications without a participant partner will not be considered. 
  • Submitting too close to the deadline. The official guidance warns about last-minute technical issues and time zone confusion. 
  • Weak letters. Unsigned letters or missing letterhead can quietly undermine your application.
  • Choosing a DM who cannot attend all days. That automatically disqualifies the pair. 

Summary Table

Final thoughts

The AAAS–TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy is not just a short training program. It is a structured entry point into global science-policy networks, designed around real collaboration between researchers and decisionmakers. If you want your research to influence how countries negotiate, regulate, and cooperate, this course gives you a credible starting platform.

Next, shortlist two or three potential decisionmakers, secure their commitment, and begin preparing letters well before the deadline. Finally, follow the official program guidelines closely and submit early to avoid preventable disqualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)