L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Grant: How to Apply

Key Facts

Status: Applications Closed
Provider: L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science
Field of Study: MBA & Postgraduate
Study Level: Doctoral
Academic Year: 2026
Application Closes: Fri, 15 May 2026 - 12:00

Reviewed & Verified by Makona Mandla Lead Editor, Bursary Verification

Closed Closed

Fri, 15 May 2026 - 12:00

Eligibility Requirements

Citizen of one of the 49 Sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa
Research conducted in one of those countries
Research in a listed science or technology field
Doctoral candidates: enrolled and in second year or higher
Postdoctoral researchers: enrolled, with a thesis defended after February 2021
The five-year post-thesis window extends by one year per child
No previous awards from any L'Oréal-UNESCO national or regional programme

Documents Needed

The official call page links to the rules and regulations, which set out the application requirements. Read the latest version when the next call opens, because requirements may change.

About L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Grant

The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science grant funds women doing doctoral and postdoctoral research in Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa. The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme offers research grants and leadership training.

South African researchers should note one big change. From 2026, the South African national programme merged with the regional one to form a single Sub-Saharan Africa programme. You now compete with researchers from 49 countries. The 2026 call ran from 11 March to 15 May 2026 and has closed.

Funding Details

€10,000 for each doctoral student
€15,000 for each postdoctoral researcher
Training in leadership, management, negotiation and communication

The 2026 call offered 30 doctoral and 8 postdoctoral grants. Winners also join an international community of women scientists, which can open doors well beyond the funding itself. The programme reports 320 endowments since its launch.

Euro amounts will change in rand value with the exchange rate, so do not build a tight budget around a fixed rand figure. Ask your university how it would manage the money and whether any of its own rules apply.

Where You Can Study

You must conduct your research at a laboratory or institution in one of the 49 Sub-Saharan African countries. South African universities and research bodies therefore qualify. The programme does not limit entry to a list of named institutions.

About L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science

About L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science is a partnership between the Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO, the United Nations education, science and culture agency. It aims to recogn…

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Fields of Study & Who Can Apply

This women in science grant covers formal and life sciences, environmental and physical sciences, and engineering and technological sciences. It suits researchers with a strong project who can also communicate their work well.

Judges look at the scientific excellence of the project, the quality of the application, and your ability to communicate and promote science. Doctoral candidates must be in the second year of a PhD or later. Postdoctoral researchers must have started their research before the call opened.

Your application should explain your research in language that a scientist from another field can follow. Say what problem you are solving, why it matters in Africa or globally, and what you have achieved so far. Ask your supervisor and a colleague outside your field to read your draft. If they can both explain your project back to you, you are on the right track.

Application Procedure

Create an account on the For Women in Science website. Then submit your application through the form on the programme page while a call is open. The form only works during an open call.

Applications for this cycle have closed. Check the provider's site for the next intake.