Apply for Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Program

This program identifies and rewards young talented researchers in formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, material sciences, engineering sciences and technological sciences. For its 16th edition, 30 endowments will be awarded in 2025 to encourage young researchers currently in doctoral or post-doctoral studies to pursue their scientific careers.

Funding Information

• 25 endowments of 10,000 € each will be allocated to 25 doctoral students enrolled in a doctoral school and/or 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 Criteria

• For doctoral students:
  • Having the nationality of one of the 48 countries covered by the Sub-Saharan Africa Program
  • 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)
  • Having the nationality of one of the 49 countries in the sub-Saharan African region (including South Africa)
  • Being enrolled in a doctoral school and carry out their doctorate in a research laboratory in one of the 48 countries covered by the Sub-Saharan Africa Program. 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.
  • Students in their first year PhD are not eligible.
• For post-doctorates:
  • Having the nationality of one of the 48 countries covered by the Sub-Saharan Africa Program
  • Being enrolled in post-doctorate in a research laboratory or an institution in one of the 49 countries in the region (including South Africa)
  • Having the nationality of one of the 49 countries in the sub-Saharan African region (including South Africa)
  • Being enrolled in a post-doctorate in a research laboratory or an institution in one of the 48 countries covered by the Sub-Saharan Africa ProgramHaving obtained a doctorate in one of the scientific fields.
  • Have defended their thesis after February 2020. 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.
  • Having started the post-doctorate before 24/02/2025, opening date of the call for application.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Candidates who have already been supported by one of the national or regional L’OréalUNESCO For Women in Science programs are not eligible.

Selection Criteria

• 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.
  • Origin (s):
    • Letter from the thesis director (thesis director (for doctorate) / laboratory director (for post-doctorate)
    • Letter of acceptance from the laboratory reception team for the year 2025- 2026
    • If possible, from a peer in the research area of the thesis and / or postdoctoral project (which is not part of the environment close to the candidate).
  • Content:
    • Recognition of the scientific quality and the importance of the work carried out and envisaged in the research work (originality, scientific scope, even economic and social scope). It is important to show how the candidate really contributed. The focus is not the institution’s work, but the Young Talent’s personal contribution to scientific advancement.
    • Appreciation of the human qualities of the researcher, of her autonomy, inventiveness, creativity and ability to interact in an efficient, productive, caring way with others (sharing, listening, mentoring, etc)
• Scientific excellence in research
  • The research describes the research plan, including the methodology, as well as the scope, novelty and possible repercussions of the research.
  • A detailed description of a maximum of two pages (including the references). Justified text, Times New Roman font, size 12 with single spacing.
  • Relevant and well prepared, the description illustrates an innovative and creative spirit.
  • The research work must contribute to advance knowledge in the candidate’s research area, as well as to promote scientific work and collaborations in the country, over the African continent and abroad.
  • The research project should include a brief description of the candidate’s commitments to education, teaching and mentoring activities, and/or to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) more broadly.

For more information, visit Fondation l’Oreal.