Royal Society

The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, known simply as The Royal Society, is a learned society for science that was founded in 1660 and claims to be the oldest such society still in existence. Although a voluntary body, it serves as the academy of sciences of the United Kingdom (in which role it receives £30 million annually from the UK Government). It is a member organisation of the Science Council.
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Noun
1. an honorary English society (formalized in 1660 and given a Royal Charter by Charles II in 1662) through which the British government has supported science
(synonym) Royal Society of London for Improving Natual Knowledge
(hypernym) academy, honorary society