L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents (nationale und regionale Programme)

What the For Women in Science Young Talents award gives you

You get a one-time cash award to fund your research, plus training and international visibility. The amount depends on your country or region. In France, PhD candidates get 15,000 EUR and post-doctoral researchers (researchers who already hold a doctorate) get 20,000 EUR. In the Sub-Saharan Africa programme, awards run from 10,000 to 15,000 EUR. Other countries set their own figures. On top of the money, you join a training programme covering leadership, team management, negotiation and how to communicate your research. You also gain access to a network of scientists. The award is run by the Fondation L'Oréal together with UNESCO. Together they hand out around 260 awards a year across 50 national and regional programmes in more than 140 countries. Each year, 15 of all winners are also picked as "International Rising Talents" and receive an extra 15,000 EUR.

Who can apply

• Gender: The award is only for women.
• Career stage: You are either a PhD candidate or a post-doctoral researcher (someone doing research after finishing a doctorate).
• Field of study: You work in natural, environmental or materials sciences, life sciences or physics. Since 2019, mathematics and computer science also count.
• Country: There is a programme for your country or region, for example Austria, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, the USA, China or Brazil, or one of the regional programmes covering more than 140 countries.
• Local rules: Each national or regional programme sets its own conditions on nationality, age and which university you study at.

How to apply

You apply through the interactive map on forwomeninscience.com/map. Pick your country or region to see the exact conditions and deadline. A panel of international scientists selects the winners.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a well-known international award that draws more than 9,000 applications a year for about 260 places, so the competition is real. Your odds depend heavily on which country programme you enter, since some award far more places than others (France 35, China 35, Sub-Saharan Africa 30, but many countries only 3 or 4). If you are a woman doing strong doctoral or post-doctoral research in an eligible field and you fit your local programme's rules, you have a genuine shot. Check the deadline for your country early.