Applications for the L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowships for Women in Science are now open until Friday 11th March, 2016.

Five outstanding female post-doctoral scientists in the UK or Ireland will be granted a fellowship worth £15,000[1] each. The finalists will be selected by a panel of eminent scientists chaired by Professor Dame Carol Robinson. Entries can be made at www.womeninsceince.co.uk.

The L'Oréal UK & Ireland Fellowships For Women in Science were launched in January 2007. The Fellowships are awards offered by a partnership between L'Oréal UK & Ireland, the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO, with the support of the Royal Society.

Five Fellowships each worth £15,000 (equivalent € for candidates in Ireland), the Fellowships are tenable at any UK or Irish university / research institute to support a 12-month period of postdoctoral research in any area of the life, physical sciences, mathematics, computer science and engineering.

The Fellowships have been designed to provide flexible and practical financial support for the winners to undertake research in their chosen fields. Winners may choose to spend their fellowship on buying scientific equipment, paying for childcare costs, travel costs or indeed whatever they need to continue their research.

In addition to financial support each year past and present fellows receive training and networking opportunities supported by L’Oréal. For example in January 2016, previous fellows joined L’Oréal and General Assembly to undertake training in digital media, such as creating a digital brand and translating their science knowledge to a digital audience.

The 2016 awards will be adjudicated by a panel of eminent scientists. Steve Shiel Scientific Director at L’Oreal UK & Ireland commented,

"I have been fortunate to hear the impact that The For Women in Science programme can have on fellows. It is a privilege to be on panel which is to be chaired by Professor Dame Carol Robinson, the 2015 L'Oréal -UNESCO International For Women in Science European Laureate and I am excited for the 2016 UK and Ireland awards."

The closing date for application to the 2016 L'Oréal -UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowships For Women in Science is Friday 11th March, 2016. For further information and to apply, please visit: www.womeninsceince.co.uk.