The Academy of Medical Sciences was launched this week with 350 founder fellows nominated by its sponsors: the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Academy of the Medical Royal Colleges, the Council of Heads of Medical Schools, and the Medical Education and Research Coordinating Committee. The number of elected fellows is expected to rise to 650 in three years, and 1,000 in ten years. The academy shares accommodation with the British Academy and the Royal Society.