About

The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme is a prestigious initiative that has been empowering women in science globally for over 25 years through a collaboration between Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO. The 2026 edition marks a significant evolution, merging the South African National Programme and the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Programme into a unified Pan-African platform covering all 49 Sub-Saharan African countries. This transformation creates a borderless network of scientific excellence designed to identify, support, and elevate the next generation of African women scientists who are driving innovation and shaping the future of global research.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must be citizens of a Sub-Saharan African country, including South Africa, and must be conducting research within a recognized institution in Sub-Saharan Africa. For doctoral candidates, you must be currently enrolled in a PhD program and in at least your second year of study. First-year students are not eligible. For post-doctoral researchers, you must already be engaged in postdoctoral research that started before the call opened and must have defended your PhD thesis after February 2021. The eligibility window is extended by one year per child as a maternity consideration. Your research must be in formal sciences, life sciences, environmental sciences, physical sciences, engineering, or technological sciences. Previous recipients of any L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science awards are not eligible to apply.

What You Get

The programme provides research grants with 30 doctoral candidates receiving €10,000 each and 8 post-doctoral researchers receiving €15,000 each. These grants support research advancement, fieldwork, equipment, and academic development. Beyond funding, you receive specialized training in leadership development, research management, negotiation skills, and scientific communication. The programme also offers international recognition by joining a prestigious network of award-winning scientists, gaining visibility within the global scientific community, and enhancing your academic and professional credibility.

Deadlines

Call Opens: March 11, 2026 Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 Final Selection Announcement: July 6, 2026

How to Apply

Submit your application through the official platform after ensuring you meet all eligibility requirements and preparing a strong research proposal with supporting documents. Applications are evaluated based on scientific excellence and innovation of your research project, overall quality and clarity of your application, ability to communicate scientific ideas effectively, and potential to contribute to scientific advancement and societal impact. You are strongly encouraged to prepare and submit your application well before the deadline.