The Royal Society is the United Kingdom’s national academy of sciences and the oldest continuously existing scientific academy in the world. Founded on 28 November 1660 and granted a royal charter by King Charles II, its full name is the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge.
The society promotes science and its benefits, recognises excellence through its fellowship programme, supports scientific research, provides policy advice and fosters international co-operation. As of 2020, there are approximately 1,700 fellows who may use the postnominal title FRS (Fellow of the Royal Society), with up to 73 new fellows elected each year by existing members. The society also appoints foreign members (ForMemRS), royal fellows and honorary fellows. It is governed by a council chaired by the president, currently Paul Nurse, who assumed the role in December 2025. Since 1967, the Royal Society has been based at 6–9 Carlton House Terrace, a Grade I listed building in central London.
