National Academy of Sciences of Argentina, Scientific institution building in Cordoba, Argentina

The National Academy of Sciences of Argentina occupies a building opened in 1897 in central Córdoba, declared a national historic monument in 1994. It was founded in 1869 by President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento in a city that already had the National University, founded in 1613.

The institution was founded in 1869 by President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento as the first federally supported academic institution in Argentina. This establishment marked a turning point in the development of organized science in the country.

Members are elected under the academy's statutes from scientists who have made notable contributions to research; Charles Darwin and Bernardo Alberto Houssay are among those who belonged. The governing board has 16 members, chosen by a vote of all members resident in the country. The academy issues awards for scientific work, publishes a journal and holds conferences.

The academy is a working scientific institution, not a museum open to the public, so visits are not offered; the 1897 building is seen from the street. It stands in the historic centre of Córdoba, near the National University founded in 1613, and can be reached on foot from the central streets.

The building received National Historical Monument status in 1994, recognizing its importance to the country's heritage. Today the academy still advises federal and provincial governments on scientific matters.