The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is an international organization founded in 1987 and based at the offices of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), in Trieste, Italy. It is a programme unit of UNESCO.

OWSD is the first international forum to unite eminent women scientists from the developing and developed worlds with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership.

OWSD provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world at different stages in their careers.

Our main programmes are:

• Membership in the international OWSD network and in National Chapters in many countries, to unite women scientists in developing countries and provide information on opportunities, regional and local events and access to skills-building activities;
• Fellowships, including scholarships for women scientists from least developed countries to study for Postgraduate (PhD) degrees  in another developing country, and grants for early career women scientists to support the purchase of equipment and other expenses needed to carry out their research; and
• Awards to recognise and celebrate early career women scientists who have made significant contributions to research and education in their scientific field.