NEW YORK — L’Oréal USA announced Monday the opening of the application period of the 2020 L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program, the U.S. component of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards program. The national fellowship recognizes and rewards women researchers at a critical stage in their careers for their scientific contributions, as well as their commitment to mentoring the next generation of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

Each year, L’Oréal USA partners with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to identify five exceptional U.S.-based female postdoctoral scientists who are granted $60,000 each to advance their research. Over the last 16 years, the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program has awarded 80 postdoctoral women scientists over $4 million in grants.

The program is centered on L’Oréal’s belief that the world needs science and science needs women, because women in science have the power to change the world. In addition to providing $60,000 to advance their research, For Women in Science fellows receive mentorship, career coaching, media training, and access to a robust network of fellow female scientists.

“The research I started under the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship evolved into the scientific program of my own lab, the success of which in turn drove my recent tenure decision,” said Dr. Sara Aton, 2008 FWIS fellow and Associate Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. “Receiving the FWIS fellowship had ramifications for my career 10 years down the road. It made all the difference at a critical point in my career trajectory.”

The For Women in Science Fellowship welcomes applicants from across the scientific spectrum. The 2019 fellowship recipients were honored last month for their important research across a wide range of fields including neuroscience, biomedical engineering, paleoceanography, materials science and RNA biology.

Application Process:

The 2020 L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship application period begins on December 2, 2019 and runs until January 31, 2020. Applicants should have exceptional academic records, clearly articulated research proposals with the potential for scientific achievement, outstanding letters of recommendation from advisors and demonstrated success or interest in supporting women and girls in STEM through community service or outreach initiatives.

AAAS manages the program’s two-round application and peer-review process. In the first round, applications are evaluated by experienced scientists in the candidates’ respective fields. In the second round, a distinguished Jury of eminent scientists evaluates the top-ranked candidates and selects the five winners. Fellowship winners will be announced in the fall; the awards ceremony will take place in November 2020. Application and additional information are available at www.lorealusa.com/forwomeninscience.