L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science - International Rising Talents

What you get

You get an extra 15,000 EUR on top of the national or regional prize you already won. You also get leadership training that builds your skills in leading teams, communication and dealing with discrimination, plus international visibility in the science community. Every year the Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO pick the 15 most promising young women researchers from more than 250 winners of their national and regional "Young Talents" awards worldwide.

Who can apply

• Gender: Women only.
• Career stage: You are early in your research career. You are either doing a PhD or working as a postdoctoral researcher (someone who already has a PhD).
• Prior award (the key condition): You have already won a national or regional "Young Talents" award within the For Women in Science programme. You cannot apply directly. A local jury selects you first, then you are invited.
• Field of study: Natural sciences, such as life sciences, physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering or environmental sciences. Social sciences, psychology and science education do not qualify.
• Nationality: Open to women from any of the 110-plus countries where the Young Talents programme runs.

How to apply

You cannot apply to this international round directly. First you win a national or regional Young Talents award through the For Women in Science platform. Deadlines depend on your country (in 2025 they ranged from late March to the end of June). Winners are then invited to submit an application, and an international selection committee chooses the final 15.

How realistic are your chances?

This is the top international tier of the For Women in Science programme. Only 15 awards go to more than 250 national winners each year, so the competition is stiff. The real hurdle is the first step: you must already have won a national or regional Young Talents award to be considered. If you have cleared that stage and work in a qualifying natural-science field, your prospects are realistic but never guaranteed.