L'OREAL - UNESCO for Women In Science National Fellowship (Caribbean)

The program seeks to award young doctoral, post-doctoral students, and early career scientists - in the Caribbean region - for the excellence of their academic level, the originality of their scientific project, but also their desire to pass on their passion to the younger generation. However, since the creation of this program, it is clear that inequalities and the glass ceiling persist in the world of academic research: only 18% of senior academic positions in science are held by women and, worldwide, only 4% of women have been awarded Nobel Prizes in science*.

In order to further support this generation of women researchers at a pivotal moment in their scientific careers, the L'Oréal Foundation is offering them training in leadership and communication to enable them to reach positions of responsibility more easily and more quickly and thus break the glass ceiling.

* UNESCO Report on Science Towards 2030, 2015.

About L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science

Women scientists are leading ground-breaking research across the world. But despite their remarkable discoveries, women still represent just 33,3 %* of researchers globally, and their work rarely gains the recognition it deserves. Only 3 % of Nobel Prizes for science have ever been awarded to women, and only 11 %* of senior research roles are held by women in Europe.

As the world hurtles towards a future threatened by climate change and resource scarcity, the global scientific community must lose no time in recognising and promoting women scientists' achievements.

The Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO have worked together for more than 20 years to help empower more women scientists to achieve scientific excellence and participate equally in solving the great challenges facing humanity.

To date, we have awarded more than 100 laureates, five of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes. Working in the Physical sciences, Formal sciences and Life sciences on five different continents, these eminent women researchers are helping to change the world through their discoveries, and are also role models for younger generations of women researchers who want to pursue their scientific careers and break the glass ceiling.

We must remember that there is still much more to be done to achieve true gender equality in science. But we remain determined, and we are moving steadily towards making our vision a reality. One day, we will live in a world where girls are encouraged to study science, where women have adequate support to balance the responsibilities of research and motherhood, and where scientists are judged purely on the merit of their discoveries and the potential of their work to change the world.

Each year, l'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science national and regional programs represent:

• More than 9000 applications.
• More than 250 talented young women scientists receiving endowments to pursue promising research projects.
• 52 country and regional programs in more than 110 countries
• 50 prestigious partners among the highest scientific authorities within their country
• More than 500 international scientists who participated in the selection of national and regional Young Talents.