L’Oréal-UNESCO Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talents Programme

Application Deadline: MARCH 24, 2023

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science sub-Saharan Africa regional program aims to promote and encourage the participation of young African women in science. This program identifies and rewards young talented researchers in the formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, material sciences, engineering sciences and technological sciences.
Since the inception of the sub-Saharan Africa regional program, the majority of applications received have been from South Africa. Given the importance of the challenges of African scientific research and our commitment to encourage more women scientists across sub-Saharan Africa, we decided to split the initial regional program into two separate programs:
• A national program dedicated to South Africa
• The regional program for sub-Saharan Africa, dedicated to the 48 other countries of the region

For this 14th edition, 20 endowments will be given to encourage young researchers currently in doctoral or post-doctoral studies to pursue a brilliant scientific career.
• 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 (

Eligibility Requirements

For doctoral students
• 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 in the sub-Saharan African region (including South Africa)
• And being enrolled in a doctoral school and carry out their doctorate in a research laboratory in one of the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa
Therefore, applicants originally from South Africa doing their research in South Africa are not eligible for this program.
• Conducting research in one of the scientific fields listed
• Students in their first year PhD are not eligible.

Therefore, applicants originally from South Africa doing their research in South Africa are not eligible for this programme.

For post-doctorates
• 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 in 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
Therefore, applicants originally from South Africa doing their research in South Africa are not eligible for this programme.
• Having obtained a doctorate in one of the scientific fields listed in Appendix 2
• Have defended their thesis after February 2018. If the postdoctoral applicant has one or more children, this deadline is brought forward by one year per child.
• Conducting research in one of the scientific fields listed in Appendix 2, having started the
post-doctorate before 01/02/2023, opening date of the call for application

Selection Criteria

• Scientific excellence of the research project
• Quality of the application
• Ability to communicate and promote science

Timeline:

• FEBRUARY 2, 2023: Start of the call for application/nomination
• MARCH 24, 2023: Closing of the call for application/nomination
• JULY 3, 2023: Candidates’ final selection

Application Procedure:

The quality of the application
The applicant must:
• Demonstrate how the training or the practical and theoretical knowledge acquired within the host organization contribute to the work of the current research.
• Valorize the excellence of the academic record (number, quality and impact of publications, conference presentations, patents, etc.).
• Include the research summary formulated in clear terms in 200 words maximum.
• Include exemplary and explicit letters of recommendation.
• A motivation letter including her background and why she applied for this grant.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 2023 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science-Sub-Saharan Africa Award