L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Levant Regional Young Talents Program

This program identifies and rewards talented young female researchers in the field of Life Sciences (such as biology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, physiology, health sciences – Covid-19, neurosciences, biotechnologies, ecology and ethology) as well as Physical Sciences (such as physics, chemistry, petroleum engineering, mathematics, engineering sciences, information sciences, Earth and Universe sciences).

The Program honors six talented young Arab women researchers for the quality of their research works and encourages them to pursue a brilliant career in science in the above-mentioned countries.

• 3 endowments amounting to Ten thousand Euros (€ 10,000) each will be granted to Arab women researchers working in Research Laboratory, Institute, or University in one of the following countries: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syrian Arab Republic.
• 3 endowments amounting to Six thousand Euros (€ 6,000) each will be granted to Arab women pursuing a PhD (doctoral degree) in Research Laboratory, Institute, or University in one of the following countries: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syrian Arab Republic. The total amount must be used to cover expenses related to regional or international scientific missions, trainings, specialized courses, conferences, and congresses. It could be used as well to purchase special software, scientific articles/ books and fees of publications in international indexed journals.

Young Talents Commitment

• Young Talents must commit to:
  • Pursue the research work for which the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Levant endowment was obtained, failing that, the total amount of the endowment must be immediately refunded to the L’Oreal entity that granted the amount.
  • Within one year after receiving their endowments, Young Talents are expected to submit a status report on the awarded research project to L’Oréal Liban SAL.
  • Within one year after receiving their endowments, Young Talents are expected to submit to L’Oréal Liban SAL a final financial expenditure statement on the actual endowment expenditure incurred on the research project or Thesis project.
  • The six Young Talents will be expected to attend the Levant Awards Ceremony that will be held during the month of October 2024 in Lebanon. Exact date will be announced on a later stage.
  • Attendance is mandatory. The travel and accommodation expenses for Young Talents will be covered by L’Oréal Liban SAL.

Eligibility Criteria

• Postdoctoral Researchers:
  • Applicants must meet the following general criteria:
    • Having obtained a PhD in one of the science fields.
    • Being of Iraqi, Jordanian, Lebanese, Palestinian, or Syrian nationality.
    • Working in a Research Laboratory, Institute, or University in one of the countries mentioned.
    • Candidates must be no more than 45 years old, considering the year of birth (Born in 1979 and beyond).
• PhD Students:
  • Applicants must meet the following general criteria:
    • Having obtained a Bachelor (B.Sc.) and a Master (M.Sc.) degree, or equivalent, in one of the science fields.
    • Should be full time student in PhD and having registered during 2023-2024 in the2nd year of the PhD program, or one year before the thesis defense.
    • Being of Iraqi, Jordanian, Lebanese, Palestinian, or Syrian nationality.
    • Working in a Research Laboratory, Institute, or University in one of the countries.
    • Candidates must be no more than 35 years old, taking into account the year of birth (born in 1989 and beyond).

Selection Criteria

• The scientific quality and usefulness of the research project.
• Abide by international ethical regulations in all research steps.
• The innovative approach (rationale, relevance, originality, outputs, applications, etc.) and the expected outcomes of the research.
• The ability of the candidate to communicate and promote sciences to a younger audience and to encourage young female researchers.
• The candidate’s career-path.
• The application will be considered complete if it contains a detailed description of the research project and its methodology.

For more information, visit Fondation l’Oreal.