AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) offer an annual summer course on science diplomacy held in Trieste, Italy. The program was established in 2014 to expose scientists, decisionmakers, diplomats and other stakeholders to science diplomacy concepts, explore key international policy issues relating to science, technology, environment and health, and build skillsets for careers at the intersection of science and diplomacy. The course uses an innovative 'participant pair' model where early-career scientists are paired with decisionmakers from the policymaking arena to strengthen connections between scientists and governmental officials. Over the past years, the program has trained over three hundred emerging leaders from more than 50 countries. The 2026 course will take place on July 20-23, 2026 in person in Trieste, Italy. Priority is given to countries that have not had representation over the past five years, with financial support primarily available for participants from developing countries. The course receives key funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Golden Family Foundation.