Its headquarters is located on the premises of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy.

TWAS was founded in 1983 under the leadership of the Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam of Pakistan by a group of distinguished scientists who were determined to do something about the dismal state of scientific research in developing countries.

The founding members of TWAS therefore decided to set up an organization that would help to: Since its inception, TWAS's operational expenses have largely been covered by generous contributions of the Italian government; since 1991 UNESCO has been responsible for the administration of TWAS finance and staff on the basis of an agreement signed by the director general of UNESCO and the president of TWAS.

[2] The founding fellows of 1983 include[3] The TWAS Prize is an annual award instituted in 1985 by TWAS to recognize excellence in scientific research in the global South.

[5] The award carries a plaque and a cash prize of US$ 15000[6] and is open to scientists living and working in a developing country.