L’Oréal UNESCO for Women in Science Programme (Spain)

The L’Oréal UNESCO For Women in Science programme is a joint initiative of the L’Oreal Foundation and UNESCO to give visibility, recognise and support the work of women scientists from around the world and to encourage interest in science among younger women under the motto “The World Needs People and People Need Women”. The programme has been carrying out intense activity in Spain for 24 weeks, giving visibility to Spanish women scientists as “role models” to inspire future generations. With this objective, various books have been published about Spanish women researchers, exhibitions have been promoted about women scientists to bring their figure and work closer to the general public and women researchers have also been promoted as speakers at many conferences, scientific forums and the media with the aim of making the importance of their research visible to society.

Funding Information 

• Each one of the five winning projects will be entitled to obtain one prize consisting of fifteen thousand gross euros (15,000E), which must be used to finance the execution of the Project that the Researcher will develop at the Research Center throughout 2025 and/or 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

• Participation in the “L’OREAL UNESCO for Women in Science” Program must be carried out through a public or private research center, legally established in Spain and whose headquarters are located in Spanish territory.
• The Research Center is the one that will present the candidacy for a Project of Research that will be developed by a researcher hired by the Center
• Research during the year 2025 and/or 2026. In the event that said contract does not cover the entire year, and with prior authorization from the Organizer, the Prize could be used to expand the research contract already signed for the purpose to complete the Project.
• The Research Center is committed to limiting its overheads to 0 indirect costs related to the management of the research project to a maximum of 8% of the amount of the prize.
• The Research Project presented in this call must be focused in areas of ​​Life and Environmental Sciences (such as biology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, physiology, neuroscience, biotechnology, ecology and ethology, or other areas included under this denomination.
• The Researcher, who will develop the Project at the Research Center that submits the application, must meet the following requirements:
  • Have Spanish nationality, or a permanent residence accredited in Spanish territory (having been resident in Spain for at least the (Last five years).
  • Have signed a research contract with the Research Center for the development of the Project during the year 2025.
  • Having been born after the year 1984, and not having reached the age of 18 on the date of the beginning of the Participation Period, forty (40) years of age. In the event that the Researcher has one or more children, the age limit will extend by one year for each child.
  • Have obtained a doctorate in a subject related to the Project, and that at least four years have passed since the reading of the thesis doctoral.
  • Have completed at least one pre or post doctoral stay of a duration minimum of two years in a research center abroad, or a Spanish center of recognized prestige other than the one in which there is completed the doctoral thesis.
  • Be an early-stage independent researcher or lead a group independent.
• In any case, projects developed by female researchers cannot be submitted and incur in any of the following assumptions, at the time of commencement of the Participation Period:
  • enjoy a permanent position in the institution in which they carry out their work
  • research (either through an employment contract that has no limit)
  • temporary, indefinite, or civil service).
• Be a Principal Investigator of a research project or contract current of more than €45,000 per year, not including the researcher’s salary, awarded by any regional, national or international institution excluding postdoctoral fellowships.

Selection Criteria

• The selection criteria that will be assessed by both the Technical Evaluation Committee and the Scientific Jury to select the five winning Projects among the accepted applications are as follows:
  • The scientific quality and impact on society of the Project research presented including the gender perspective or dimension if the subject matter requires it.
  • The innovative nature of the Project (that it is relevant, original), its contribution to provide greater knowledge in their field of research and its practical application in science.
  • The excellence of the academic and professional career of the researcher who will develop the project and his/her professional career.
  • The activity developed by the Research Center for the support and dissemination of women’s research work, as well as the promotion of science among the youngest.

For more information, visit L’Oreal Foundation.