The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship is a prestigious national program that annually awards five exceptional female postdoctoral scientists with grants to advance their research, alongside a commitment to serving as role models for the next generation. The program is the U.S. component of the global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. For the 2026 cycle, the award has been increased to $75,000 per recipient.
Financial Benefits
- Research Grant: A fellowship of $75,000 is awarded to each of the five recipients to be used for their postdoctoral research.
- Professional Development: The program includes a week of professional development and networking events.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered:
- Career Stage: Must have a conferred Ph.D. (or equivalent) and have started a postdoctoral research position by January 31, 2026. Applicants holding faculty positions are not eligible.
- Citizenship: Must be an American-born citizen, naturalized citizen, or permanent resident.
- Affiliation: Must be affiliated with a U.S.-based academic or research institution and plan to conduct research primarily in the U.S.
- Field of Research: Must be involved in basic research in the life sciences, physical/material sciences, engineering, technology, computer science, or mathematics. Psychology, science education, and social sciences are not eligible fields of research.
- Commitment: Must commit to at least 20 hours of activity supporting women and girls in science (e.g., mentoring, classroom visits).
Application Process
- Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2026 fellowship is February 13, 2026. The previous cycle’s deadline was 5:00 PM ET on February 14, 2025.
- How to Apply: Applications are managed in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and must be submitted through the official program portal.
- Selection: A two-phased review process is used. First, applications are evaluated by experienced scientists in the candidates’ fields. Then, a distinguished jury selects the five winners based on scientific excellence, intellectual merit, and career potential.
Application Link:
For complete details and to access the application form, please visit the official program page managed by AAAS.
Click here for the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science Program Page
