L'Oréal-UNESCO - For Women and Science

The Swiss Commission for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), L'Oréal Switzerland and SATW (Swiss Academy of Technical Sciences) are proposing the ‘L'Oréal - UNESCO For Women in Science’ programme. The prize consists of four scholarships of CHF 25,000 each for four women scientists at the start of their careers, working at universities or research institutes in Switzerland, in the fields of science and technology.

Although women make up more than half of the student population in bachelor's and master's degree programmes in Switzerland, they are significantly under-represented in higher academic positions. According to recent data, only about 23% of professors at Swiss universities are women. This disparity reveals a downward trend in female representation at all career stages, resulting in fewer women reaching the highest academic levels.

The scholarship aims to support outstanding female profiles in the early stages of their careers. Young postdoctoral women working in the life and environmental sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, engineering, architecture and medicine are eligible. Interdisciplinary research profiles are expressly welcome. The winners will have full discretion on how to use the prize money, depending on the submitted project.

Applications can be submitted online until 31 March 2025 via the following LINK.

The call for applications is attached.