The L’Oréal-UNESCO Young Talents Caribbean for Women in Science program recognises and funds outstanding young women scientists working in the Caribbean region. It is run by the L’Oréal Foundation and L’Oréal Caribe together with the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, the Caribbean Academy of Sciences, and the Caribbean Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Created in 2023, the 2026 edition awards two researchers who combine academic excellence, an original research project, and a desire to inspire the next generation. Winners keep working at their home Caribbean institution and also receive management and leadership training and media exposure to help them break the academic glass ceiling.
Benefits & funding
- Two endowments of US$15,000 each, paid directly to the beneficiaries by L’Oréal Caribe after the award ceremony.
- Funds are dedicated to advancing the researcher’s work (equipment, travel, conferences, training, publications, even childcare to attend events); there is no time limit on spending them.
- Awards are non-renewable but may be combined with other grants, salaries, or scholarships.
- Online “Management and Leadership” training plus media exposure through program events.
Eligibility
- Women only.
- Nationals of one of the 24 Caribbean countries and territories in the program list (17 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago; and 7 associate territories: Anguilla, Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, US Virgin Islands).
- Research must be carried out at a laboratory, research institute, or higher-education institution in one of those countries or territories.
- Three tracks: doctoral students (from the 2nd PhD year onward; first-year PhDs are not eligible); post-doctoral researchers holding a doctorate; and early-career researchers who hold a doctorate and have been in a fixed research post for less than three years.
- Research must fall within the listed scientific fields: formal sciences (mathematics, computer and information sciences), physical sciences, life and environmental sciences, engineering sciences, and technology.
- Fluency in English is mandatory.
- Applicants previously supported by any national or regional L’Oréal-UNESCO Young Talents For Women In Science program are not eligible.
Can you apply?
Worth a closer look
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Eligible nationalities
Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Grenada · Guyana · Haiti · Jamaica · Montserrat
+ 12 more
Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Suriname · Trinidad and Tobago · Anguilla · Aruba · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Curaçao · Sint Maarten · US Virgin Islands
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Residence required
Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Grenada · Guyana · Haiti · Jamaica · Montserrat
+ 12 more
Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Suriname · Trinidad and Tobago · Anguilla · Aruba · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Curaçao · Sint Maarten · US Virgin Islands
Not in your profile yet
Education required
PhD Enrolled · PhD
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Gender requirement
Female
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Create an account and apply online at forwomeninscience.com during the open call.
- 2Prepare a 1–2 page CV, a motivation letter, and copies of diplomas from the master’s degree onward.
- 3Write a 200-word research summary and a detailed 2-page research description with methodology.
- 4Draft an estimated budget (up to US$15,000) and gather at least two letters of recommendation plus a list of key publications.
- 5Submit the complete application before the deadline; incomplete or late files are rejected.
Program timeline
Call for applications opens
May 19, 2026
Application deadline
Aug 14, 2026
Final selection by the jury
Sep 7, 2026
Award ceremony in a Caribbean country/territory or the United States
October 2026 (to be confirmed)