The South African National Programme and the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Programme have officially merged to become the unified L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme.

For over 25 years, the Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO have stood side-by-side to champion the brilliance of women in science. Today, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme serves as a powerful catalyst for change, uniting researchers from all 49 countries across the region, including South Africa, to lead as a single, Pan-African force for global advancement.

ELIGIBILITY:

Nationality & Location: Must be a citizen of one of the 49 Sub-Saharan African countries (including South Africa) and be conducting research within a laboratory or institution in one of these countries.

Research Fields: Research must be in Formal, Life, Environmental, Physical, Engineering, or Technological Sciences.

Doctoral Candidate Requirements:

Must be currently enrolled in a doctoral school.

Specifics: Must be in their second year of PhD or higher (first-year students are not eligible).

Post-doctoral Researcher Requirements:

Must be enrolled in a post-doctorate and have started their research before the call for applications opened.

Academic Cut-off: Must have defended their thesis after February 2021.

Maternity Clause: The 5-year post-thesis window is extended by one year per child.

General Exclusion: Previous awardees of any L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science national or regional program are not eligible.

Selection Criteria: Scientific excellence of the research project

Quality of the application

Ability to communicate and promote science

BENEFIT:

Award(s) of the Prize:

Research grants for (30) doctoral and (8) postdoctoral research candidates

Training in Leadership, Management, Negotiation and Communication

Amount per Endowment:

10,000€ for doctoral students.

15,000€ for post-doctoral students.