The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa programme aims to promote and encourage the participation of young African women in science. This programme identifies and rewards talented young female scientists in the field of Formal sciences, Life sciences, Environmental sciences, Physical sciences, Engineering and Technological sciences.
So far, the majority of applications received for the sub-Saharan Africa regional program have come mainly from South Africa. Given the importance of the challenges of African scientific research and the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science’s commitment to encourage more women scientists across sub-Saharan Africa, they decided to separate the initial regional program into two separate programs: A new programme dedicated to South Africa and The regional program of sub-Saharan Africa, with the 48 other countries of the region. For this 11th edition, 20 endowments will be given to encourage young researchers currently in doctoral or post-doctoral studies to pursue a brilliant scientific career.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following general criteria:
For doctoral researchers
- Having the nationality of one of the 48 countries in the sub-Saharan African region
- And being enrolled in a doctoral school and carry out their doctorate in a research laboratory in one of the 49 countries in the region (including South Africa) OR
- Having the nationality of one of the 49 countries of the sub-Saharan African region (including South Africa)
- And being enrolled in a doctoral school and complete their doctorate in a research laboratory in one of the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa
- Conducting research in one of the listed scientific fields
For Post-doctoral researchers
- Having the nationality of one of the 48 countries in the sub-Saharan African region
- And being enrolled in post-doctorate in a research laboratory or an institution in one of the 49 countries in the region (including South Africa) OR
- Having the nationality of one of the 49 countries of the sub-Saharan African region (including South Africa)
- And being enrolled in a post-doctorate in a research laboratory or an institution in one of the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa
- Having a doctorate in one of the listed scientific fields
- Conducting research in one of the listed scientific fields
- Having started the post-doctorate before 02/03/2020, opening of the call for application
L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme Benefits.
- 15 endowments of €10,000 each, will be allocated to 15 doctoral students enrolled in a doctoral school and in a research laboratory in sub-Saharan Africa
- 5 endowments of €15,000 each, will be allocated to 5 post-docs working in a laboratory or research institute in sub-Saharan Africa
L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme Selection Criteria.
- The quality of the application
- Scientific excellence in research
- The candidate’s ability to communicate and promote science to young people
- Fluency in the English language is desirable
Method of Application:
An application is only considered complete when it includes all of the following documents:
- A detailed CV of 1 to 2 pages maximum including training, dissemination actions, commitments of the candidate, etc.
- Copies of diplomas or certificates obtained from the license in their original language,
- A summary of research work in 200 words maximum (intended for a panel of scientific experts),
- A detailed description of the research work of 2 pages maximum, including the references (Text justified, Times New Roman font, size 12 with single spacing
- An estimated budget detailing the expenditure envisaged to support the coherence and realism of the research work. This budget must not exceed € 10,000 for doctoral students and € 15,000 for post-doctoral researchers (in the form of a table with projected expenses). If the estimated budget is less than the amount allocated, the excess may be spent after the year following the Prize (there is no limited time for its use).
- At least two letters of recommendation, each assessing the quality of the CV, the originality of the project and mentioning the relationship and human dimensions of the candidate.
- A list of the candidate’s publications (from the most recent to the oldest),
- for doctoral students: the 2 publications (article, patents, oral communications, posters, etc.) published or in the process of being published.
- for post-doctoral students: the 2 most important publications (scientific publications, patents, etc.).
