The Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science recognizes early-career women researchers and initiatives that help girls and women enter or remain in STEM. Springer Nature runs the awards under the Nature Awards brand with The Estée Lauder Companies.
Applicants choose either Science Outreach or Scientific Achievement; these are two tracks of one awards program with one winner and one runner-up in each. The 2026 application window is closed, and no exact 2027 opening date has been announced.
Benefits & funding
- One winner in each category receives US$50,000 for initiatives linked to the award.
- One runner-up in each category receives US$5,000.
- Winners are invited to an award ceremony in London or New York, with travel and accommodation paid, and receive nature.com coverage, an opportunity to present to scientists at The Estée Lauder Companies, and mentoring.
- Shortlisted applicants receive a Nature Awards profile and access to a coaching and networking community.
Eligibility
- Science Outreach accepts organizations, departments, individuals of any gender, and project teams running initiatives that engage girls or young women in STEM or retain women in STEM careers; one spokesperson must represent the entry.
- A mixed-gender Science Outreach initiative must show a primary focus on girls, and at least 66% of participants must be girls.
- Scientific Achievement applicants must be early-career academics who self-identify as women, hold an MD, PhD, or other doctorate by dissertation obtained after 31 December 2016, and hold a non-tenured STEM position; qualifying parental or other approved leave extends the ten-year window.
- No nationality requirement is stated, but residents of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, places where participation is unlawful, and other sanction-sensitive places are excluded, as are listed sanctioned persons.
- Promoter employees and directors, relevant immediate family members, current judges or ambassadors and their immediate family members, and previous winners cannot enter.
- Applicants may enter both categories if eligible, but can appear on only one shortlist in the same year.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Choose the Science Outreach or Scientific Achievement route and verify the category-specific eligibility and exclusions.
- 2Create a free account on the Nature Awards Submittable portal when the next application form becomes available.
- 3Complete every requested section in English and submit the application yourself; nomination is not required.
- 4Submit before the published deadline; the 2026 form closed at 11:59 pm UTC on 8 April 2026.
Program timeline
Applications opened
Jan 28, 2026
Application deadline at 11:59 pm UTC
Apr 8, 2026
Application assessment
2026-04 to 2026-08
Successful applicants notified
2026-09
Winners announced
2026-10