Within the framework of the UNESCO Co-Sponsored
Fellowships Scheme, a joint programme has been launched with the L’ORÉAL
Corporate Foundation with a view to promoting the contribution of young
women - from all over the world – in research developments in the field
of life sciences.
The UNESCO-L’ORÉAL
fellowships scheme focuses on UNESCO’s premise that people are the
world’s greatest resource and that innovation and excellence, especially
among the young women community, deserve to be supported and encouraged
through the concerted efforts of the international community. The award
of the fellowships constitutes a key strategy through which impetus is
being given to the enhancement of the role of women in devising
scientific solutions to problems confronting humankind in the
twenty-first century.
Target Group
The
UNESCO-L’Oréal International Fellowships are designed to identify and
reward fifteen deserving, committed and talented young women scientists,
from all over the world, active in the field of life sciences. With a
view to ensuring that a balanced geographical representation is made, a
maximum of three young women, from each of the five geo-cultural regions
of the world, will be awarded fellowships.
Candidates must already be engaged in pursuing research at the doctoral or post-doctoral level in one or allied fields of life sciences including biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, pharmacy and physiology. In its selection, the jury accords preference to research protocols that respect animal welfare. Proposals in the area of cosmetics research are NOT encouraged; preference is given to non-cosmetic research.
Projects involving animal models (i.e. experimentation using vertebrate laboratory animals) are rejected, and proposals in the area of cosmetics research are NOT encouraged; preference is given to non cosmetic research.
Special attention will be given to candidatures from the Least Developed Countries(LDCs).
Eligibility
Applicants (maximum four from each applying National Commission) must meet the following general criteria:
- The National Commission must endorse all applications. UNESCO cannot entertain applications from individuals.
- Candidates must be no more than 35 years old. Thus, applicants born before 1 January 1979 will not be considered under this programme.
- Preference will be given to candidates already possessing at the time of application a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in the field of the life sciences. However, candidatures from students pursuing studies/research leading to a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) will also be entertained.
- Only candidates with the necessary qualifications, who demonstrate outstanding intellectual promise and personal qualities, will be considered under this programme.
- Candidates must be proficient in reading and writing the language of instruction in the proposed country of study.
The research proposal should cover the following points:
• Why? The concrete nature of the proposed project’s contribution to the life sciences; its innovative, original aspects; and the scope and purpose of the research project. The candidate should demonstrate that the reasons of the theoretical and practical knowledge or training acquired at the host laboratory would be beneficial to her on-going research project.
• What? The expected results or impact of the research project being undertaken.
• How? Describe the proposed arrangements for conducting the research.
• Where?The proposed country, where research will be undertaken and the name and address of the host institute/laboratory.
• When?The time-framework explicitly stating the proposed starting date and the suggested duration of research which should be of twelve months maximum. Because the possibility for extension exists, it would be useful also to give an indication of further development of the project beyond the 1-year time frame.
• How much?A detailed budget estimate indicating the resources required for the candidate to undertake the proposed research. The amount should not exceed USD20,000. All figures must be shown in US dollars and must be stated on a separate page. The total amount indicated should cover, exclusively, the international or domestic travel costs for the proposed itinerary and tuition fees, if any, including personal subsistence abroad, etc. Applicants should be realistic in compiling their estimated budgets, and consider that an average of USD1500 per month for accommodation and meals (including local transportation and incidentals) should not be exceeded. Applications where funds requested are judged to be excessive in relation to the objectives and importance of the project are likely to be considered for a smaller grant.
The following costs are not eligible: computer or equipment purchases; publication costs; attendance at conferences, unless a case can be made that such attendance is an integral part of the research and would make a direct and significant contribution to the outcome of the development of life sciences.
• Why? The concrete nature of the proposed project’s contribution to the life sciences; its innovative, original aspects; and the scope and purpose of the research project. The candidate should demonstrate that the reasons of the theoretical and practical knowledge or training acquired at the host laboratory would be beneficial to her on-going research project.
• What? The expected results or impact of the research project being undertaken.
• How? Describe the proposed arrangements for conducting the research.
• Where?The proposed country, where research will be undertaken and the name and address of the host institute/laboratory.
• When?The time-framework explicitly stating the proposed starting date and the suggested duration of research which should be of twelve months maximum. Because the possibility for extension exists, it would be useful also to give an indication of further development of the project beyond the 1-year time frame.
• How much?A detailed budget estimate indicating the resources required for the candidate to undertake the proposed research. The amount should not exceed USD20,000. All figures must be shown in US dollars and must be stated on a separate page. The total amount indicated should cover, exclusively, the international or domestic travel costs for the proposed itinerary and tuition fees, if any, including personal subsistence abroad, etc. Applicants should be realistic in compiling their estimated budgets, and consider that an average of USD1500 per month for accommodation and meals (including local transportation and incidentals) should not be exceeded. Applications where funds requested are judged to be excessive in relation to the objectives and importance of the project are likely to be considered for a smaller grant.
The following costs are not eligible: computer or equipment purchases; publication costs; attendance at conferences, unless a case can be made that such attendance is an integral part of the research and would make a direct and significant contribution to the outcome of the development of life sciences.
Selection of Beneficiaries
A
special Selection Committee made up of representatives of UNESCO, the
L’ORÉAL Foundation, and Life Sciences research community or institutions
will make the selection of the candidates. The International Basic
Science Programme (IBSP) will be also consulted during the selection
process. A member of the IBSP may take part in the selection.
UNESCO and the L’ORÉAL Foundation allocate the greatest importance to originality and quality. Consideration will be given only to well-structured projects that demonstrate innovation, creativity and relevance, and which are likely to contribute to enhance knowledge in life sciences.
Files which are incomplete or which are received after the deadline for application, as well as candidatures that do not meet the requirements mentioned above, will not be taken into consideration.
Additional information on the results of the past years’ programme can be obtained by consulting the following website: www.forwomeninscience.com
Only selected candidates will be contacted by UNESCO.
Candidates who have not been informed of their selection by end of September 2011 should consider that their applications have not been successful in the selection process.
UNESCO and the L’ORÉAL Foundation allocate the greatest importance to originality and quality. Consideration will be given only to well-structured projects that demonstrate innovation, creativity and relevance, and which are likely to contribute to enhance knowledge in life sciences.
Files which are incomplete or which are received after the deadline for application, as well as candidatures that do not meet the requirements mentioned above, will not be taken into consideration.
Additional information on the results of the past years’ programme can be obtained by consulting the following website: www.forwomeninscience.com
Only selected candidates will be contacted by UNESCO.
Candidates who have not been informed of their selection by end of September 2011 should consider that their applications have not been successful in the selection process.
Facilities offered by L'Oreal
The UNESCO-L’Oréal International Fellowships include the following:
- The financial contribution specific previously.
- Participation in the Fellowship Training Programme.
- Round-trip travel for the selected beneficiaries from their country of residence to attend For Women in Science week in Paris, France, (date not yet determined) to attend an awards ceremony (sine qua non condition for the award of the fellowship).
- Lodging and pocket money during the stay in Paris for For Women in Science Week and the Fellowship Ceremony.
- A certificate attesting to the special award.
- The financial contribution specific previously.
- Participation in the Fellowship Training Programme.
- Round-trip travel for the selected beneficiaries from their country of residence to attend For Women in Science week in Paris, France, (date not yet determined) to attend an awards ceremony (sine qua non condition for the award of the fellowship).
- Lodging and pocket money during the stay in Paris for For Women in Science Week and the Fellowship Ceremony.
- A certificate attesting to the special award.
Application Procedures
All
applications must be submitted with the required documentation on the
prescribed and enclosed application forms. Each Member State may
nominate up to a maximum of four candidatures. It is the National Commission’s responsibility to select candidates that it wishes to submit to UNESCO. The
National Commission is also invited to seek the cooperation of the
local scientific community to ensure high standard candidatures that
will then have more chances of being selected.
Candidates should submit their applications via the online platform at the following link:
www.fwis.fr
Candidates should submit their applications via the online platform at the following link:
www.fwis.fr
The application must have the following attachments:
a) An e-mail address regularly used by the candidate.
b) Certified copies of degree or diplomas (including transcript of grades) in duplicate. Proof either of having obtained a Ph.D. degree or of being in the process of studying for a Ph.D. degree must be included.
c) A list of publications, if any.
d) A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with the candidate’s work.
e) A host institute’s letter of acceptance (i.e. the institute that has accepted the candidate for work should she be selected for a fellowship). This letter of acceptance must indicate the name of the academic supervisor, the date and duration, and the host institute’s willingness to provide the relevant training facilities required by the candidate in the chosen field of specialization.
f) The certificate of language proficiency (on UNESCO form) duly completed in duplicate for the language of the country of study (should this be different from the candidate’s mother tongue) and signed by the competent authority.
g) Detailed proposal for the research project: one to two page(s) (maximum), in either English or French.
a) An e-mail address regularly used by the candidate.
b) Certified copies of degree or diplomas (including transcript of grades) in duplicate. Proof either of having obtained a Ph.D. degree or of being in the process of studying for a Ph.D. degree must be included.
c) A list of publications, if any.
d) A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with the candidate’s work.
e) A host institute’s letter of acceptance (i.e. the institute that has accepted the candidate for work should she be selected for a fellowship). This letter of acceptance must indicate the name of the academic supervisor, the date and duration, and the host institute’s willingness to provide the relevant training facilities required by the candidate in the chosen field of specialization.
f) The certificate of language proficiency (on UNESCO form) duly completed in duplicate for the language of the country of study (should this be different from the candidate’s mother tongue) and signed by the competent authority.
g) Detailed proposal for the research project: one to two page(s) (maximum), in either English or French.
Moreinfo: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/fellowships
