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 recognise and support women researchers around the world. The International Awards began in 1998 and honour five eminent women scientists each year, with €100,000 for each laureate. Alongside those awards, national and regional programmes support younger researchers who are still building their careers. The partnership has run for more than 25 years.

Why does the programme exist? Its leaders argue that gender diversity leads to better science, and that advancing women helps to drive scientific progress. Women remain under-represented in many research fields, particularly at senior levels. Early-career grants try to address this problem at a point when funding, visibility and confidence can shape a whole career. In addition to money, the programme offers training and a professional network, which can help a young scientist to build a profile beyond her own laboratory.

How L'Oréal-UNESCO supports students

South African researchers saw a major change in 2026. The South African national programme and the Sub-Saharan Africa regional programme merged into one L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme. It now draws together researchers from all 49 countries in the region. The 2026 call offered research grants for 30 doctoral and 8 postdoctoral candidates, worth €10,000 and €15,000 each. Winners also received training in leadership, management, negotiation and communication. As a result, South African applicants now compete in a larger pool, with older South Africa-only rules no longer applying.

What to know before applying

The selection criteria focus on the scientific excellence of the project, the quality of the application and the candidate's ability to communicate and promote science. Eligible fields cover formal and life sciences, environmental and physical sciences, and engineering and technological sciences. Doctoral candidates must be in the second year of a PhD or later. Earlier winners of any national or regional L'Oréal-UNESCO programme cannot apply again. The programme's own rules and regulations document holds the full details.

Is there a work-back obligation? We found no sign of one. The programme is a research award and not an employer's bursary, so its published material does not describe any period of service. Winners may still have to meet conditions in the rules, such as taking part in communication activities. We could not confirm the details, so read the rules for the call you enter and ask the organisers about anything that is not clear.

Applications go through the For Women in Science website. You need an account, and the form only works while a call is open. The 2026 call ran from 11 March to 15 May. Future dates may differ, so check the official site early in the year. Meanwhile, ask your supervisor to review your project summary, and practise describing your research in plain language, because communication forms part of the assessment.