L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science initiative began in 1998. Since that inaugural year, the L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) have strived to support and recognize accomplished women researchers, to encourage more young women to enter the profession and to assist them once their careers are in progress.

According to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2014), women account for only 30% of the world’s researchers.There are still great barriers that discourage women from entering the profession and obstacles continue to block progress for those already in the field. For this reason, in addition to its annual Awards, the L’Oréal-UNESCO partnership has established the International Rising Talents program, which is designed to accelerate the advancement of young women in science globally. The International Rising Talents are chosen from among the doctoral and post-doctoral researchers who have received fellowships from L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science’s national and regional programs.