Published: 30 Jul 2024
The prestigious OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World is now accepting applications. This award recognizes and supports women who have made notable contributions to science and are researching inclusive health. It specifically aims to honor early-career women scientists advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
Application Deadline | September 16, 2024 |
Type | Ph.D |
Sponsor | UNESCO |
Gender | Women |
The 5 awards will be distributed as follows: one for each of the four regions of the developing world (Africa, Arab region, Asia & the Pacific and Latin America & the Caribbean), plus an additional ¨floating” award for an outstanding candidate from any of these regions.
The following fields are eligible:
Additionally, applicants are to meet the following eligibility criteria:
The competition will be judged by a distinguished panel of specialists in the appropriate fields and who are aware of the challenges facing women scientists in developing countries.
Traditionally, the selection committee has met in person at the OWSD Secretariat based in Trieste, Italy and we have been able to draw on a broad range of expertise from this 'City of Science', including the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the University of Trieste, Elettra Sincrotrone, The International School for Advanced Sciences (SISSA) and the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). Since 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impossibility of holding face-to-face meetings, we had the opportunity to draw on a broader pool of experts based also in the developing world. The Selection Panel is chaired by the OWSD Coordinator with full administrative support from the OWSD Secretariat.
Assessment will be based on the applicant’s achievements in her scientific field, with additional attention paid to evidence of leadership skills, initiative and innovation, as well as to the candidate’s involvement in capacity building, outreach and civic contribution. Research that demonstrates the use of innovative techniques or methodologies (especially with regard to sustainable development), an awareness of the importance of sex and/or gender considerations in research methodology and content and/or interdisciplinary collaboration may be prioritised.
Successful candidates will be informed of their selection no later than 31 December 2024.
Official documentation proving 5 years’ residency in an eligible STLC .
The following documents can be submitted as proof of residence as long as the name of the applicant (as written in the online form) appears clearly: statement from the local police office or municipality, population registry office, rental agreement, utilities bills, employment contract. This list is not exhaustive and alternative documents can be considered. Please write to [email protected] if you are not sure about the eligibility of your documents.
Applications for the 2025 awards are invited from women scientists who have made significant contributions in the area of inclusive health, whose research is linked to SDG3 (Good health and well-being), and have lived and worked for at least 5 years in an eligible STLC.
All applications must be submitted online. In order to help you prepare, you can see our application guidelines here for your reference.
The official language for the application is English.
If you are submitting any supporting documents (such as residency certificate, degree certificate, etc.) in a language which is not English, you must attach at least an informal translation into English and upload it along with the scanned original. Documents in other languages with no accompanying English translation will NOT be considered.
For more details, visit