The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is Scotland’s National Academy of Science and Letters. Originally founded by Royal Charter in 1783 for the 'advancement of knowledge and useful learning', it provides an important Scottish forum for broadly-based interdisciplinary activity, covering all branches of learning.

The Society's multidisciplinary, peer-elected fellowship of men and women of international standing provides independent, expert advice to key decision making bodies, including Government and Parliament.

The Society organises conferences and lectures for the specialist and for the general public, providing a forum for informed debate on issues of national and international importance.

The Society’s Research Awards programme annually awards well over £1.5 million to exceptionally talented young academics and potential entrepreneurs to promote commercial exploitation of inventiveness and boost wealth-generation.

The RSE is active in classrooms from the Borders to the Northern Isles, with a successful programme of lectures and hands-on workshops for primary and secondary school pupils.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh, working as part of the UK and within a global context, is committed to the future of Scotland’s social, economic and cultural well-being.