UL Research Institutes-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women 2024

The 2024 Prize will provide promising, ASEAN-national, Mid-career and Senior female scientists with recognition awards from ASEAN and the United States government and Underwriters Laboratories for their academic and professional achievements.

The 2024 Prize will emphasize the role of female scientists who have used their work to improve the society in sustainable ways and have acted as role models for other women learning, working in, and pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This year, the Prize focuses on the theme of Climate Resilience and Adaptation.

Climate Resilience and Adaptation

• The ASEAN region faces increasingly severe challenges due to the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and changing precipitation patterns threaten the socio-economic stability, environmental sustainability, and livelihoods of ASEAN member nations. Addressing these challenges demands a concerted effort to foster innovative solutions that enhance climate resilience and facilitate effective adaptation strategies.
• The theme “Climate Resilience and Adaptation” aims to spotlight cutting-edge scientific advancements, technological innovations, and holistic approaches that empower ASEAN countries to combat the adverse effects of climate change. This theme will encompass various dimensions, including but not limited to:
  • Resilient Infrastructure and Urban Planning: Showcasing innovations in designing and constructing resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate-related risks, ensuring sustainable urban development and disaster-resilient communities.
  • Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration: Exploring innovative strategies for preserving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and promoting nature-based solutions to mitigate climate impacts.
  • Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Security: Highlighting agricultural innovations that enhance productivity, conserve resources, and adapt to changing climatic conditions while ensuring food security for the region.
  • Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies: Showcasing advancements in renewable energy technologies and sustainable practices to reduce carbon footprint and promote energy resilience.
  • Community-Based Adaptation and Resilience Building: Recognizing local community initiatives, indigenous knowledge, and participatory approaches that strengthen resilience and adaptive capacities at the grassroots level
• The theme “Climate Resilience and Adaptation” is a call to action, urging scientists, researchers, innovators, and policymakers to collaborate and catalyse transformative solutions that fortify ASEAN’s capacity to thrive in a changing climate landscape.

Benefit

• The total amount of Prize funding available for winners will be $35,000, and will be provided by Underwriters Laboratories. The winners of the Senior Scientist category and the Mid-Career Scientist category will each receive $12,500. The honourable mention in both categories will also receive $5,000, each. Separate provisions will be made for travel and lodging expenses as well as meal provisions for the winners and honourable mentions to attend a pitch competition during the ASEAN-U.S. Consultation Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation and/or awards ceremony will be held during ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI). Awards will be disbursed to the winners after the ceremony.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to participate in this Prize, applicants must meet all of the following criteria. An applicant must be a/an:
  • Female professional working in applied science
  • Citizen of an ASEAN Member State (AMS) include: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • Holder a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree. Applicant who is candidate for, or in process of pursuing a PhD or doctoral degree are not eligible.
  • To qualify for the Mid-career Scientist category, the applicant must be 45 years or below on the closing date of the application period.
  • To qualify for the Senior Scientist category, the applicant must be aged 46 or older on the closing date of the application period.
• Academician/researcher/innovator/technologist/expert/practitioner/activist in this year’s theme of Electrification.

For more information, visit United States Government.