L’Oreal-UNESCO Sub-Saharan Regional Fellowships 2019 for African Women in Science

Application Deadline: April 29th 2019

The L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa programme aims to promote and encourage 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.

To date, most of the applications received for this regional programme, came principally from South Africa. Considering the importance of supporting African scientific research and our commitment to empowering more female scientists from across Sub-Saharan Africa, we decided to separate the initial regional programme into two programmes:

-A new national programme for South Africa-The regional programme for the 48 other countries of the Sub-Saharan region

Starting from this 10th edition, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa programme will celebrate 20 young female scientists (15 doctorates and 5 post-doctorates) instead of 14 young female scientists the years before, for the quality of their research and encourage them to pursue a brilliant career in science in any Sub-Saharan African country (Appendix 1).

Awards

15grants of € 10,000 each, will be granted to 15 African PhD. students enrolled in a Sub-Saharan African doctoral studies institute and completing their doctorate in a research laboratory.

5grants of € 15,000 each, will be granted to 5African postdoctoral researchers working in a laboratory or research institute registered in one of the region’s countries.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following general criteria:a.For doctoral researchers

Having the nationality of one of the 48 Sub-Saharan African countries covered by the programme.

Enrolled in a Sub-Saharan African studies Institute and pursuing studies leading toa PhD. degreein one of the scientific fields listed in the Appendix 2.

Completing their doctorate in a research Laboratory or Institution in one of the 48 countries covered by the programme.

Who started theirthesis no later than 31/12/2017, b.For Post-doctoral researchers

Having the nationality of one of the 48 Sub-Saharan African countries covered by the programme.

Havingobtained a PhD. degree in one of the scientific fields listed in the Appendix 2.

Completing their post-doctorate in a research Laboratory or Institution in one of the 48 countries covered by the programme.

Conducting research in one of the scientific fields listed in the Appendix 2,

Who do not have a permanent position prior to theaward ceremony, to be held in November 2019.

Who defended their thesis after 25/02/2014. If the post-doctoral researcher has one or more children, this deadline is brought forward by one year per child. Who started their post-doctoral research before 25/02/2019, when the call for
applications was issued.

Candidatures

Applications can be only made through the online platform www.forwomeninscience.com by the candidates themselves.

An application is considered complete only if it includes all documents below:

Certified copies of the degrees or recent diplomas

A proof of having obtaineda PhD. degree for postdoctoral candidates

A proof of being enrolled in a Sub-Saharan African doctoral studies for doctoral candidates

A detailed project of maximum 2 pages, including:

• The project description of current research project
• -The proposed use of the grant motivating the candidature with some budget indications. Provide insight into what the grant will be used for (e.g. conferences,travel or equipment).
• Letters of recommendation from the research supervisor and/or the director of the scientific institution where the research project is carried or the Dean of the University under whichthe candidate is running her research
• The list of publications and patents

Provisional Timetable

Launch of the call for applications:February 25th 2019

Closing date:April 29th 2019
First evaluation by adjudicators:May 2019

Second evaluation by the jury members: June 2019

Jury Deliberation meeting:July 2019

Ceremony date: November 21st 2019

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the L’Oreal-UNESCO Sub-Saharan Regional Fellowships 2019