South Africa - Young Talents programme at L'Oréal foundation For Women In Science

1. Introduction
The second edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science South African National Programme aimsto promote and encourage young women in science. This programme identifies and rewards talented young female scientists in the field of Formal sciences, Life sciences, Environmental sciences, Physical sciences, Engineering and Technological sciences. Since the inception of the programme in Africa in 2010, we have seen significant growth. There are now two dedicated programmes for Africa in line with our vision of empowering more young female scientists across Africa:

• The South African National Programme
• The sub-Saharan Africa Regional programme

This programme honoursseven talented South African women for the quality of their research and encourages them to pursue a career in science in any South African Province.

• Five research grants of R80 000 each for five PhD researchers enrolled at a South African institution and completing their doctorate in a research laboratory.
• Two research grants of R160 000 each for two South African post-doctoral researchers working in a laboratory or research institute registered in one of the South African provinces.

The L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science South Africa national programme research grants are awarded within the framework of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science partnership. 

2. Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following general criteria:

• Having obtained a Ph.D. degree in Formal sciences, Life sciences, Environmental sciences, Physical sciences, Engineering and Technological sciences or pursuing studies leading to a Ph.D. degree at a South African university
• Be a South African Citizen
•  Working in a Research Laboratory or Institution or being enrolled in a doctoral programme at a University in South Africa
• Candidates must be no more than 40 years old by the end of the application period for PhD and Post-doctoral awards

Please note:
Candidates who have already been awarded a research grant from previous L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programmes are not eligible.

3. Selection Criteria
The selection criteria of the candidate by the jury are the following:
The candidate’s outstanding academic records:

• Including number, quality and impactof the publications(impact factors to be submitted)
• Conference presentations
• Patents etc.
• The scientific quality of the research project
• The innovative nature and productivity of the research and its potential application in science
• The ability of the candidate to communicate and promote sciences to a younger audience and to encourage young African female scientists.
• The candidate’s career-path

4. Grant definition and use
There are seven research grants

• Candidates in the "Doctoral" category receive an award of R80 000 each
• Candidates in the “Post-doctoral" category receive an award of R160 000 each

These awards are grants. Awards will be paid directly to beneficiaries by L’Oréal South Africa after the award ceremony, and following receipt of originals of the documents required for the bank transfer. Each female scientist is responsible for meeting her fiscal obligations concerning the award. Awards are non-renewable. They may be combined with other allowances, including other donations, awards, salaries other research grants.
a. Use The awards are intended for the female scientists themselves and must be exclusively devoted to advancing research in their country or the researcher in their professional environment.
Examples:

• Purchase of computer equipment or advanced equipment. It is understood that the awards do not relieve the laboratory of its responsibilities towards its researchers. As a result, awards cannot be used to purchase basic laboratory equipment.
• Travel in the country or abroad to meet experts or form working relationships
• Funding to attend conferences and congresses, etc.
• Purchase of scientific papers

5. Candidatures
Applications can be only made through the online platform www.forwomeninscience.com by the candidates themselves.
An application is considered complete only if it includes all documents below:

• Certified copies of the degrees or recent diplomas
• A proof of having obtained a Ph.D. degree for postdoctoral candidates
• A proof of being enrolled at a South African University for doctoral candidates

A detailed project summary of a maximum 2 pages, including:

• The project description of the current research project
• The proposed use of the grant motivating thecandidature with some budget indications. Provide insight into what the grant will be used for e.g. conferences, travel or equipment

 Letters of recommendationfromthe research supervisor and/or the director of the scientific institution where the research project is carried or the Dean of the University under which the candidate is running her research
The list of publications and patents Incomplete files or received after the deadline for application, as well as candidatures that do not meet the requirements mentioned above, will not be
taken into consideration.
Candidates Selection
Candidates will be selected by the For Women in ScienceJury for theSouth African programme
The results will be communicated by telephone and email to theseven researchers after the Jury’s deliberation. The results must remain confidential until the awards
ceremony.
The decision of the jury cannot be contested or subject to explanation or justification.

6. Candidates Commitment
Candidates commit to:

• Pursue the research work for which the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in ScienceSouth African National programmegrant was obtained. Within one year after receiving their grant, the young researchers are expected to submit a status report on the awarded research project to the L’Oréal Foundation
• Within one year after receiving their grant, the young researchers are expected to submit to the L’Oréal Foundation a final financial expenditure statement on the actual Fellowship expenditure incurred on the Research Project.
• NB: Please note that due to the global spread of the (COVID-19) virus the 2020 ceremony will not take place. Award recipients will be recognised at the 2021 ceremony. Research grants will still be paid in 2020. The payment of the grant will be made directly to the recipients after the awards ceremony after having received the original documents for the transfer of funds. (i.e. An original bank stamped confirming banking details). The grants are not transferable for any other purpose whatsoever.

7. Communication
The young researchers shall mention the grant in all related communications under the name “L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science South African National Programme”, in all publications and other forms of media communication, including media appearances, press releases and conferences, that result from or are in any way connected to the Research project wherever possible.  The young researchers should inform L’Oréal South Africa of any publications and other forms of media communication as above. They agree to be photographed, filmed and interviewed for non-commercial
objectives and For Women in Scienceprogramme-related purposes. These photos, videos and texts will be used in publications and audiovisual means including but not limited to written press, television, internet, photographs and brochures including distribution to the media in South Africa and worldwide. Each of the award recipients shall sign a separate written authorization. They will not receive any remuneration for such promotional activity.

8. Provisional Timetable

• Launch call for applications – 9 April 2020
• Closing date - 29 May 2020
• Evaluation by adjudicators – June 2020
• Evaluation by Jury members – July 2020
• Jury deliberation meeting – September 2020
• Announcement of winners – October 2020

9. Rules and Regulations 

By responding to the call for applications for the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science South African National Programme, the candidate is deemed to have accepted these rules.
For more information visit www.forwomeninscience.com or email your queries to [email protected]