The Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences (ZAS) was founded in October, 2004. It was the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) which laid the foundation stone for the establishment of ZAS by carrying out a background study on other existing academies of sciences in the world. Discussions were held informally with a number of the then existing professional bodies to rationalize the need for a national academy of sciences in Zimbabwe. Several policymakers consulted by the foundation committee registered their support for the establishment of ZAS.