Nominations open for South African Women in Science Awards

The awards will be made to women who are South African citizens or permanent residents.

Theme

• The theme for the 2025 SAWISA is adopted from the 2025 UNESCO International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) is “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science.” The theme emphasizes the importance of creating pathways for women’s career development and leadership in STEM, while addressing systemic barriers such as funding, mentorship and workplace bias.

Award Categories 

• The awards will be made in the following categories:
  • Awards for Distinguished Woman Researchers:
    • Humanities and Social Sciences
    • Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences
    • Public Engagement with Research
  • Awards for Distinguished Young Woman Researchers:
    • Humanities and Social Sciences
    • Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences
    • Public Engagement with Research
  • DSTI Fellowships:
    • Six Master’s students: two in Natural Sciences, one in Engineering Sciences, one in HSS, one in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and one in Astronomy.
    • Six PhD students: two in Natural Sciences, one in Engineering Sciences, one in HSS, one in IKS and one in Astronomy.

Prize Information

• Awards for Distinguished Woman Researchers:
  • Winner: R90,000
  • First runner-up: R65,000
  • Second runner-up: R40,000
• Awards for Distinguished Young Woman Researchers:
  • Winner: R80,000
  • First runner-up: R55,000
  • Second runner-up: R30,000
• Public Engagement with Research:
  • Distinguished Young Woman Researcher: R90,000
  • Distinguished Woman Researcher: R100,000
• DSTI Fellowships:
  • R70,000 for a master’s degree (x6)
  • R90,000 for PhD degree (x6)

Nomination Criteria

• Awards for Distinguished Woman Researchers:
  • Nominations are for established woman scientists or researchers with at least five years of postdoctoral experience, and who are actively involved in research.
• Awards for Distinguished Young Woman Researchers:
  • Nominations are for young woman scientists or researchers under the age of 40 or turning 41 during the year of the awards, who have PhDs and whose research projects have contributed to advancing science and building the knowledge base.
• Public Engagement with Research:
  • Distinguished Woman Researcher: Nominations are for established woman scientists or researchers with at least five years’ postdoctoral experience and who has excelled in increasing public access to scientific knowledge through appropriate means of science communication or citizen science.
  • Distinguished Young Woman Researcher: Nominations are for young woman scientists or researchers, under the age of 40 or turning 41 during the year of the awards, with a PhD degree and who has excelled in increasing public access to scientific knowledge through appropriate means of science communication or citizen science.
• DSTI Fellowships:
  • The fellowships are open to women who are involved in full-time study towards master’s or PhD degrees and are registered at public South African universities.
  • Applicants should be women who are:
    • South African citizens or permanent residents;
    • under the age of 35; and
    • high performers in their current and previous degrees.

Application Requirements 

• Awards for Distinguished Woman Researchers/Distinguished Young Woman Researchers:
  • A completed and signed nomination form.
  • Three Reference Letters (including the Nominator’s letter) discussing the nominee’s professional competence, qualities or interests); and
  • A certified copy of ID.
• Public Engagement with Research:
  • A completed and signed nomination form;
  • Proof or evidence of their contribution to public engagement with research
  • Three Reference Letters (including the nominator’s letter) discussing each nominee’s professional competence, qualities or interests, and
  • A certified copy of ID.
• DSTI Fellowships:
  • An application form;
  • A letter of support from a supervisor who knows the applicant’s work. This letter should outline the applicant’s suitability to receive the award, and the quality of and performance in their studies;
  • Full academic record;
  • Certified copies of qualifications; and
  • A certified copy of ID.

For more information, visit African Union.