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News: Five women scientists were named laureates of the 2026 L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards in Paris on May 19, 2026.
About L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards
- Establishment: The Awards were created in 1998 through a joint partnership between the French cosmetics company L’Oréal and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- Aim: The awards aim to recognize women researchers, support women in science, and encourage greater participation of women in scientific research.
- Structure: The awards honour five women scientists every year, with one laureate selected from five different regions of the world:
- Africa and the Arab States
- Asia and the Pacific
- Europe
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- North America
- Alternating Fields: The scientific disciplines alternate every other year:
- Even Years: Life and Environmental Sciences.
- Odd Years: Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science.
- Grant Value: Each laureate receives a monetary prize of €100,000 to support ongoing scientific research.
About L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards 2026
- Awards Ceremony: It will take place at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris inJune 2026.
- Eligibility: The 2026 awards recognised eminent women researchers working in Life and Environmental Sciences.
- Extended Partnership: UNESCO and Fondation L’Oréal renewed their partnership for another six years to support girls and women in science across 140 countries and territories.
- Winners Represent Five Major Regions:
- Africa and the Arab States: Professor Liesl Zühlke was recognised for improving care for children with heart conditions.
- Asia and the Pacific: Professor Felice Jacka was honoured for contributions to nutritional psychiatry.
- Europe: Professor Sarah A Teichmann was recognised for research in single-cell biology and genome science.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Professor Raquel Lia Chan was honoured for developing drought-tolerant crop varieties.
- North America: Professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic was recognised for work in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
