L'Oréal USA has opened the application period for its 2020 L'Oréal USA For Women in Science (FWIS) program, which rewards and recognizes female researchers for their contributions and commitment to mentoring the next generation of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. The application period ends January 31.
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The 2020 L'Oréal USA For Women in Science program is the U.S. component of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards program. In partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the program identifies five U.S.-based female postdoctoral scientists and awards each $60,000 to further their research.
Over the last 16 years, 80 postdoctoral female scientists have been awarded more than $4 million in grants.
In addition to the funding for their research, award winners also receive mentorship, career coaching, media training and access to a network of fellow female scientists.
Applicants are expected to have exceptional academic records, outstanding letters of recommendation and clearly articulated research proposals, as well as a demonstrated interest in supporting girls/women in STEM.
The 2019 fellowship recipients came from neuroscience, biomedical engineering, paleoceanography, materials science and RNA biology fields.
"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 Sara Aton, Ph.D., 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."