The National Academy of Sciences of Uruguay was created in 2009 by law approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the República Oriental del Uruguay meeting in General Assembly.

It has the purpose to advise and promote the development of the sciences. With such a purpose, it is able to emit pronouncements in matters of science policy and promotion of the scientific, technological and innovation research, both in the national as well as in the international integration arenas, and provide the advice it agrees upon, carrying out the studies and researches that it is requested directly or through technical consultative committees. The Academy allows the incorporation of up to 30 Active Members in all scientific disciplines ranging from Natural and Exact Sciences to Humanities.