Based on the decision taken by the Academy at its 24th General Meeting in 2013, starting 2014, the Academy's membership shall consist of elected Fellows only; the membership category Associate Fellow has been discontinued.
- Candidates for election as TWAS Fellows must be scientists whose contributions to their respective field(s) of science meet internationally accepted standards of excellence.
- Candidates for election as TWAS Fellows may work and live anywhere in the world, but if working and living in a developed country, they must also have distinguished themselves in efforts to promote science in developing countries.
Other criteria for nomination of candidates are age (under 70 years at nomination) and membership in a well-established and recognized national science academy, if such a body exists in the candidate's country.
Only TWAS Members can nominate candidates, and each candidate must be proposed by two TWAS members. Blank nomination forms are available to TWAS Members only, either by download [log in first] or upon request from the Executive Director's office.
Nominations must be submitted by 31 March of each year. They are evaluated by Membership Advisory Committees (one for each membership section) and then submitted to the TWAS Council. The Council recommends a final list of candidates for election which is communicated to the Fellows attending the General Meeting. Candidates receiving the favourable vote by the majority of Fellows present at the General Meeting are elected.
On average, up to 50 new Members are elected each year. Membership is for life.