The 9th Call for Applications of the Netherlands L’Oréal Unesco For Women in Science fellowships 2021 opens on January 6, 2021. The fellowship allows excellent female scientists to boost their career. Two fellowships of 25.000 euros are available to women active in the field of life sciences, who have between 3 and 10 years post-PhD academic experience.

The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that science is of tremendous value to our society and imperative for a sustainable future. The world is looking towards scientific research as key to finding suitable solutions towards the fight against the virus. “In the face of global challenges, we need collective intelligence” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of Unesco. 

Excellent female scientists programme

The prestigious international ‘For Women in Science’ programme is a collaboration between Unesco and L’Oréal with the tagline: ‘The world needs science, science needs women’. The programme awards fellowships and prizes to exceptional female scientists. Since 1998, more than 3400 women from over 116 countries have received a fellowship or award. Five of them have been awarded the Nobel Prize, including the chemistry Nobel prize winners of 2020, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna.

Since 2012, the Netherlands Commission for Unesco and L’Oréal Netherlands have managed the Dutch fellowship programme in cooperation with the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS-KNAW) and the Dutch Network of Women Professors (LNVH). Laureates are awarded a residential fellowship for a semester at NIAS-KNAW in Amsterdam, and are provided a place to think, study and write, while being released from regular responsibilities such as teaching, administrative or clinical tasks. NIAS-KNAW offers an inspiring workplace in an interdisciplinary and international environment. If needed, accommodation can be provided.

The world needs science, science needs women

According to the Dutch Network of Women Professors (LNVH) Women Professors Monitor 2020, only 24.2% of Dutch professors are women. This puts the Netherlands at the bottom of the ranking compared to other European countries. The For Women in Science programme aims to boost scientific careers of women and as such, aims to contribute to an increase of top level women scientists.

How to apply

More information concerning the fellowship programme and how to apply is available on our website, including the application forms and guidelines. For more information you can also contact Marike Bontenbal, Netherlands Commission for Unesco.

Closing date is February 15, 2021