L’Oréal USA For Women in Science Award

The L'Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellowship is a prestigious private funding opportunity administered by L’Oréal USA in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Since its inception in 2003, the program has awarded more than $5 million in grants to over 100 postdoctoral women scientists across the United States, reflecting a long-standing commitment to supporting gender equity and scientific excellence. The fellowship emphasizes both research advancement and community impact, aiming to amplify the contributions of early-career women in science while fostering mentorship and outreach. Each year, five postdoctoral women scientists are selected to receive a $75,000 grant to support their research as well as outreach activities that encourage the participation of women and girls in STEM. The fellowship supports a range of expenses including research costs, conferences, technical support, student salaries, equipment, and a portion of funds (up to 10%) for community service initiatives. Notably, indirect costs such as rent, utilities, and insurance are not permitted. The funding is disbursed in two installments: one at the awards ceremony in November and the second following submission of a six-month interim report. Eligibility is restricted to women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and hold a Ph.D., Sc.D., or D.P.H. (not including M.D. or D.V.M. alone). Applicants must be in a full-time postdoctoral position or begin such a position by January 31, 2026. The proposed research must fall within physical/material/life sciences, engineering, technology, computer science, or mathematics. Applicants affiliated with U.S.-based institutions are eligible, including those from federal or nonprofit organizations that can accept funding. Faculty members and visa holders are not eligible. The application window for the 2026 cycle opened on November 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EST and close on February 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Applicants are required to submit a research plan (max 3 pages), a candidate and mentoring statement (1 page each), and a budget. Transcripts are not required at application but may be requested later. Three letters of recommendation are mandatory, including one from the postdoctoral advisor, one from a former mentor, and one additional reference. All materials must be submitted through the online portal. Applications will be reviewed through a peer-review process coordinated by AAAS, with awardees expected to attend the L'Oréal Awards Week in November 2026. Awardees are also required to complete 20 hours of outreach in support of women and girls in science within one year of receiving the fellowship. Individuals may reapply in future cycles if they remain eligible, though no feedback is provided on past applications. For more information or technical support, applicants can contact lorealusafellowships@aaas.org. Those interested in serving as reviewers may contact Rachel Stivers at rstivers@aaas.org. Application resources, including budget templates and FAQ documents, are available via the AAAS program webpage.

Ensure proposals demonstrate both scientific merit and community service commitment. Address how the fellowship supports professional growth and outreach.