L’Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellowship 2026

The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship is a prestigious national program that annually awards five exceptional female postdoctoral scientists with grants to advance their research, alongside a commitment to serving as role models for the next generation. The program is the U.S. component of the global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. For the 2026 cycle, the award has been increased to $75,000 per recipient.

Financial Benefits

• **Research Grant:** A fellowship of $75,000 is awarded to each of the five recipients to be used for their postdoctoral research.
• **Professional Development:** The program includes a week of professional development and networking events.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered:

• **Career Stage:** Must have a conferred Ph.D. (or equivalent) and have started a postdoctoral research position by January 31, 2026. Applicants holding faculty positions are not eligible.
• **Citizenship:** Must be an American-born citizen, naturalized citizen, or permanent resident.
• **Affiliation:** Must be affiliated with a U.S.-based academic or research institution and plan to conduct research primarily in the U.S.
• **Field of Research:** Must be involved in basic research in the life sciences, physical/material sciences, engineering, technology, computer science, or mathematics. Psychology, science education, and social sciences are not eligible fields of research.
• **Commitment:** Must commit to at least 20 hours of activity supporting women and girls in science (e.g., mentoring, classroom visits).

Application Process

• **Application Deadline:** The deadline for the 2026 fellowship is February 13, 2026. The previous cycle’s deadline was 5:00 PM ET on February 14, 2025.
• **How to Apply:** Applications are managed in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and must be submitted through the official program portal.
• **Selection:** A two-phased review process is used. First, applications are evaluated by experienced scientists in the candidates’ fields. Then, a distinguished jury selects the five winners based on scientific excellence, intellectual merit, and career potential.

Application Link:

For complete details and to access the application form, please visit the official program page managed by AAAS.

Click here for the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science Program Page