The Georgian National Academy of Sciences (GNAS), established in 1941, is an autonomous body financed by the Georgian government. GNAS is the highest scientific institution conducting and coordinating fundamental research in the natural sciences and the humanities in Georgia. It oversees 9 scientific departments of the Academy. GNAS has 61 members and 40 corresponding members. The Georgian National Academy of Sciences coordinates scientific researchers in Georgia and develops relationship with up to 20 Academies of foreign countries and other scientific countries. It is a scientific Adviser to the Georgian Government. GNAS oversees the richest depository of manuscripts and rare book collections in the country.