L’Oréal USA For Women in Science
Fellowship details

The For Women in Science program was created out of a simple belief: the world needs science, and science needs women because women in science have the power to change the world.
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations. Celebrating its twenty first year in the U.S., the For Women in Science program has awarded 105 postdoctoral women scientists over $5 million in grants.
- Must have a conferred PhD and have started in a postdoctoral research position by January 31, 2025
- Must maintain the status of postdoctoral researcher throughout the fellowship year
- Must be American born, naturalized citizen or permanent resident
- Must be affiliated with a U.S. based academic or research institution
- Must plan to conduct their postdoctoral studies and research in the U.S.
- Must be involved in basic research in the life and physical/material sciences, engineering & technology, computer science and mathematics
- Cannot be in a faculty position
- Must commit to at least twenty hours of activity in support of women and girls in science (e.g. mentoring, classroom visits, media, events)
- Must be available the week of November 11, 2025 for the For Women in Science Awards Week.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which is dedicated to advancing science around the world, is the official administrator for the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program. In this capacity, AAAS:
- manages the program’s application process,
- directs the peer-review process,
- processes fellowship grant payments, and
- oversees agreements and review of interim and final reports.
Learn more at: https://www.aaas.org/programs/loreal-usa-women-science
The Selection Process
To ensure that the candidates who are selected represent scientific excellence, the program utilizes a two-phased application 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.
The Candidates are Evaluated for Overall Excellence with a Focus on:
SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE AND QUALITY OF PROPOSED RESEARCH
Scientific excellence and appropriateness of proposed research:
- What is the quality and feasibility of the research?
- To what extent does the proposed research have the potential to advance this field of study and contribute more broadly to the advancement of society? How significant are the wider impacts of this research?
- Is the candidate qualified to conduct the proposed research?
- Ability to plan and conduct research either as a member of a team or independently:
- Are the important concepts, objectives, and processes clearly defined? Do the proposed approaches adequately address the objectives?
- Does the candidate have a proven track record of having successfully completed research in the past, which would predict success for this proposal?
- Evidence of originality, initiative, and productivity
- Is the proposed research innovative, unique, and relevant?
- Choice of host institution and department mentor
- Can the host institution and investigator provide adequate facilities and academic/professional support for this research proposal?