L’OREAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE 2020 PROGRAM : YOUNG TALENTS WOMAN FROM SUB-SAHARA/ AFRICA. Deadline : March 30, 2020.

L’OREAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE 2020 PROGRAM : YOUNG TALENTS WOMAN FROM SUB-SAHARA/ AFRICA. Deadline : March 30, 2020.

YOUNG TALENTS SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA JEUNES TALENTS AFRIQUE
SUBSAHARIENNE
L’OREAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
RULES & REGULATIONS OF THE 11th EDITION
1. Introduction
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science sub-Saharan Africa regional program aims to
promote and encourage the participation of young African women in science. This program
identifies and rewards young talented researchers in the formal sciences, life and environmental
sciences, material sciences, engineering sciences and technological sciences (list of disciplines in
Appendice 2).
So far, the majority of applications received for the sub-Saharan Africa regional program have
come mainly from South Africa.
Given the importance of the challenges of African scientific research and our commitment to
encourage more women scientists across sub-Saharan Africa, we decided to separate the initial
regional program into two separate programs:
 A new programme dedicated to South Africa
 The regional program of sub-Saharan Africa, with the 48 other countries of the region (see
the list of countries in Appendice 1)
For this 11th edition, 20 endowments will be givent to encourage young researchers currently in
doctoral or post-doctoral studies to pursue a brilliant scientific career.
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 15 endowments of 10,000 € each, will be allocated to 15 doctoral students enrolled in a
doctoral school and in a research laboratory in sub-Saharan Africa (see section 2. Eligibility
criteria).
 5 endowments of € 15,000 each, will be allocated to 5 post-docs working in a laboratory or
research institute in sub-Saharan Africa (see section 2. Eligibility criteria).
2. General conditions of eligibility
a. For doctorates
 Having the nationality of one of the 48 countries in the sub-Saharan African region
 And being enrolled in a doctoral school and carry out their doctorate in a research
laboratory in one of the 49 countries in the region (including South Africa)
OR
 Having the nationality of one of the 49 countries of the sub-Saharan African region
(including South Africa)
 And being enrolled in a doctoral school and complete their doctorate in a research
laboratory in one of the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa
 Conducting research in one of the scientific fields listed in Appendice 2
b. For post-doctorates
 Having the nationality of one of the 48 countries in the sub-Saharan African region
 And being enrolled in post-doctorate in a research laboratory or an institution in one of the
49 countries in the region (including South Africa)
OR
 Having the nationality of one of the 49 countries of the sub-Saharan African region
(including South Africa)
 And being enrolled in a post-doctorate in a research laboratory or an institution in one of
the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa
 Having a doctorate in one of the scientific fields listed in Appendice 2
 Conducting research in one of the scientific fields listed in Appendice 2
 Having started the post-doctorate before 02/03/2020, opening of the call for application
Disclosure :
Applicants who have already obtained an endowment from a L’Oréal-UNESCO For
Women in Science program are not eligible.
3. Selection criterias

The selection criteria by the jury are as followed:
a. The quality of the application
The applicant must:
 Demonstrate how the training or the practical and theoretical knowledge
acquired within the host organization contribute to the work of the current
research,
 Valorize the excellence of the academic record (number, quality and impact of
publications, conference presentations, patents, etc.),
 Include the research summary formulated in clear terms in 200 words maximum
(justified text, Times New Roman font, size 12 with single spacing),
 Include exemplary and explicit letters of recommendation.
Origin (s):
 Letter from the thesis director
 Letter of acceptance from the laboratory reception team for the year 2020-
2021.
 If possible, from a peer in the research area of the thesis and / or postdoctoral
project (which is not part of the environment close to the candidate).
Content:
 Recognition of the scientific quality and the importance of the work carried
out and envisaged in the research work (originality, scientific scope, even
economic and social scope). It is important to show how the candidate really
contributed. It’s not the lab’s work we’re talking about, but the one she did
or will do herself.
 Appreciation of the human qualities of the researcher, of her autonomy, her
inventiveness, her creativity and her ability to interact in an efficient,
productive, caring way and with others (sharing, listening, mentoring…)
b. Scientific excellence in research
 The research describes the research plan as a whole, including the
methodology, as well as the scope, novelty and possible repercussions of the
research.
 This description is no more than two pages including the references.
 Relevant and well prepared, the description illustrates an innovative and
creative spirit.
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 This research work must contribute to knowledge in the research area of the
candidate and make it possible to promote scientific work, in the country, in
African and abroad.
c. The candidate’s ability to communicate and promote science to young people
d. Fluency in the English language is desirable:
 To be able to fully benefit from the training in “Management and
Leadership” given in English
 To be able to benefit from the media exposure thanks to the various events
(interviews, etc.) that will be offered to it.
4. Endowment : definition and use
a. Definition
The L’Oréal-UNESCO Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talent Program Awards For Women
in Science are 20.
– Candidates rewarded in the “Doctoral” category receive an endowment in the
amount of 10,000 euros each.
– Candidates awarded in the “Post-doctoral” category receive an endowment in the
amount of 15,000 euros each.
The endowment is paid directly to the Young Talents by the L’Oréal Foundation after
the Prize-giving ceremony, and after having received the original documents necessary
for the bank transfer.
Each beneficiary must inquire about the taxation linked to this endowment.
The endowments are non-renewable.
They can be combined with other allowances: other donations, prices, salary and
funding for doctorates and post-doctorates.
b. Use
The endowments are intended for the researchers themselves and must be exclusively
devoted to the promotion of research in their country, or of the researcher in a
professional framework.
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Some examples of use:
– Purchase of computer equipment or advanced equipment. It is understood that the
endowments must in no case replace the responsibilities of the laboratory vis-à-vis its
researchers. As a result, endowments cannot be used to procure basic laboratory
equipment.
– Travel in the country or abroad to meet experts or create collaborations.
– Funding to attend conferences, congresses, training / knowledge acquisition, creation
of a business plan etc.
– Funding for babysitters to attend conferences and congresses for example.
– Purchase of scientific articles.
5. Application
Applications are made by the candidates themselves only through the online platform:
www.forwomeninscience.com.
An application is only considered complete when it includes all of the following documents:
_ A detailed CV of 1 to 2 pages maximum including training, dissemination actions, commitments
of the candidate, etc.
 Copies of diplomas or certificates obtained from the license in their original language,
 A summary of research work in 200 words maximum (intended for a panel of scientific experts),
 A detailed description of the research work of 2 pages maximum, including the references (Text
justified, Times New Roman font, size 12 with single spacing
 An estimated budget detailing the expenditure envisaged to support the coherence and realism
of the research work. This budget must not exceed € 10,000 for doctoral students and € 15,000 for
post-doctoral researchers (in the form of a table with projected expenses). If the estimated budget
is less than the amount allocated, the excess may be spent after the year following the Prize (there
is no limited time for its use).
 At least two letters of recommendation, each assessing the quality of the CV, the originality of
the project and mentioning the relationship and human dimensions of the candidate.
 A list of the candidate’s publications (from the most recent to the oldest),
 for doctoral students: the 2 publications (article, patents, oral communications, posters, etc.)
published or in the process of being published.
 for post-doctoral students: the 2 most important publications (scientific publications, patents,
etc.).
To note :
– Incomplete files or files received after the deadline, as well as applications which do not meet the
conditions set out above, will not be taken into consideration.
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The jury is subject to a duty of confidentiality in relation to the documents entrusted to it.
6. Selection of young talents
The candidates will be preselected by a committee of experts and then presented to an independent
jury made up of eminent researchers from the African continent. The jury is chaired by the
President of the African Academy of Science.
You will find in Appendice 3 the evaluation grid and the coefficients associated with each criterion.
The jury’s decision is final and cannot be appealed. It can neither be disputed nor subject to
explanations or justifications.
The results will be communicated by telephone and email to the 20 beneficiaries after the
deliberations of the allocation jury. They must remain confidential until the Awards ceremony.
Les chercheuses s’engagent à :
 Poursuivre le travail de recherche pour lequel le Prix du programme Jeunes Talents France
L’Oréal-UNESCO Pour les Femmes et la Science a été obtenu.
 Réaliser les dépenses détaillées dans le budget estimatif du dossier de candidature.
 Rédiger un rapport sur les travaux de recherche, objet de la dotation, à remettre à la
Fondation L’Oréal dans l’année qui suit l’attribution du Prix.
 Participer à la formation en « Management et Leadership » ainsi qu’à la cérémonie de remise
des Prix qui se tiendra dans une capitale africaine, probablement en décembre 2020. La
participation à ces événements est obligatoire, les frais de transport et d’hébergement, pour
les bénéficiaires vivant en province, seront pris en charge par la Fondation L’Oréal1
.
7. Collaborative actions of young talents
The researchers commit to:
 Continue the research work for which the Young Talent Sub-saharan African L’OréalUNESCO
For Women in Science Prize was obtained.
 Carry out the expenses detailed in the estimated budget of the application file.
 Write a report on the research work, subject of the endowment, to be submitted to the
L’Oréal Foundation in the year following the award of the Prize.
 articipate in the training in “Management and Leadership” as well as in the award ceremony
to be held in an African capital, probably in December 2020. Participation in these events is
compulsory, transportation and accommodation costs , for beneficiaries living in the
provinces, will be supported by the L’Oréal Foundation.

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Selon les conditions générales de transports et d’hébergement applicables à la Fondation L’Oréal
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8. Communication
Young Talents will indicate the Prize in the resulting communications under the name
“The Young Talent Prize for Sub-Saharan Africa L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science”.
They will be photographed, filmed and interviewed for non-commercial purposes related to the
communication of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program and the For Girls and
Science program. These photos, videos and texts may be used for written and audiovisual
publications, allowing dissemination to the French, pan-African and international media. A
written image right authorization must be signed by each of the beneficiaries when the contract is
signed.
9. Estimated timetable
– Opening of the call for application : February 3, 2020
– Closing of the call for application : March 30, 2020
– First review of applications by experts: April 2020
– Final selection by the jury: July 2020
– Awards ceremony: December 2020
10.Rules
Participation in the call for applications for the Young Talent Sub-Saharan Africa L’OréalUNESCO
For Women in Science program implies acceptance of these regulations.

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