United Kingdom and Ireland - 2025 Call for Applications

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United Kingdom and Ireland - 2025 Call for Applications

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science UK and Ireland Young Talent Awards is an annual programme which aims to promote, enhance and encourage the contribution of women scientists pursuing their research careers in the UK or Ireland. In 2025, five outstanding women post-doctoral scientists will be awarded a grant worth £25,000 (equivalent € in Ireland) to support their research the fields of Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Sustainable Development.

Since its launch in 2007, the awards have been designed to provide flexible and practical financial support to enable women scientists to pursue and continue their research careers – such as buying equipment, paying for childcare or funding travel costs to attend overseas conferences and/or events.

Applicants must have already been awarded their research doctorate, have no more than 10 years’ active full-time equivalent postdoctoral experience and be conducting their research at a UK or Irish university or research institute. The full candidate criteria is listed below.

Calendar

  • Applications Open: 10 July 2025

  • Applications Close: 20 August 2025

  • Reader Assessment: August – September 2025

  • Jury Panel Assessment: October – November 2025

  • Virtual Interview Days: Mid-November 2025 (exact date and timing to be confirmed)

  • Awards Reception: Early December 2025 (exact date and location to be confirmed)

  • July 10, 2025 Start of the call for application/nomination
  • August 20, 2025 Closing of the call for application/nomination
  • November 21, 2025 Candidates' final selection

Program Overview

Partners

  • The UK National Commission for UNESCO

  • The Irish National Commission for UNESCO

  • The Royal Society

Award(s) of the Prize

Five awards per year

Amount per endowment

£25,000 (equivalent € for candidates in Ireland)

Main eligibility criteria

  • Candidates must identify as female postdoctoral level researchers who have already been awarded their research doctorate in the fields of Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physical Sciences, or Sustainable Development.

  • Candidates must have no more than 10 years’ active full-time equivalent postdoctoral experience (discounting career breaks but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry) at the time that their application is submitted.

  • Candidates must not currently hold or have previously held a permanent academic post. They must not have received, before the start date of the award, the promise of a permanent academic post.

  • Candidates must be undertaking research in one of the following fields: Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physical Sciences, or Sustainable Development.

  • Candidates undertaking research in the fields of Psychology, Science Education and Social Sciences are not eligible for this award.

  • Candidates must be conducting their research at a UK or Irish university or research

  • Candidates can be a citizen of any country but must already have a confirmed position at a university or institute within the UK or Ireland. This contract must cover the 12-month period of the award, starting from when the grant is awarded.

  • Candidates must be reside within the UK or Ireland at the time of application. Applications are welcome from candidates who wish to establish/re-establish themselves after a career break or other period of absence from active research or where the candidate is establishing a research career as a mature entrant or after experience in other fields.

Note: Candidates who have previously been unsuccessful in becoming a finalist may apply again. If a candidate was successful in becoming a finalist and was recognised as ‘Highly Commended’, they cannot apply again.

Selection criteria

Intellectual Merit of Applicant

  • Academic records.
  • Ability to effectively interpret and communicate research findings.
  • Evidence of originality, initiative and productivity.
  • Strong recommendation via reference letters.

Quality of Research Proposal

  • The originality of the research proposal.
  • The relevance of the research and its impact.
  • The proposal should be presented in a clear and compelling format.

Impact of the Young Talent Award

  • How the award will enhance the applicant’s career and/or assist with a successful return to scientific research.
  • Has the applicant made a convincing case of the impact this award will make to her.
Initial launch date
2007
Total number of endowments awarded since launch
83

Information document(s)

The 2025 Application Terms and Conditions can be accessed using this link – click here.

The 2025 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be accessed using this link – click here.

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