Caribbean Women Eligible for $15,000 Grants
Two US$15,000 grants will be awarded to outstanding Caribbean women researchers under the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme. Applications are open from May 19 to August 14, 2026, for women pursuing doctoral, postdoctoral or early-stage research careers in eligible STEM fields.
The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme is calling for applications from Caribbean women researchers for two US$15,000 awards to advance scientific research across the region. Open from May 19 through August 14, 2026, the call targets women who are pursuing doctoral studies, conducting postdoctoral research, or are in the early stages of a scientific research career in areas including formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, materials science, engineering and technological sciences.
The initiative in the Caribbean is organised in partnership with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and the Caribbean Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Liana Camacho, Market Vice President of L'Oréal Caribe, said the programme seeks to increase the visibility and support for women researchers who are generating knowledge and innovation with regional impact.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the organisation’s goal of recognising female scientific talent and removing barriers to career advancement. The awards are intended to provide both financial support and public recognition to women whose research contributes solutions to key regional challenges — from public health and water quality to environmental resilience and technological innovation.
Previous regional winners named in the programme’s 2025 edition include Jamaican scientists Dr Lori-Ann Fisher, who researches genetic factors related to liver disease, and Dr Arianne Brown Jordan, who studies bacterial contamination in water systems serving vulnerable communities.
UNESCO data show women make up roughly one-third of researchers globally; while Latin America and the Caribbean have comparatively higher representation, many women still face obstacles in accessing funding, visibility and leadership roles in science. The L'Oréal-UNESCO awards aim to help close those gaps by directing resources to promising women scientists in the region.
Women scientists based in the British Virgin Islands or with Caribbean nationality are encouraged to consider applying. Local researchers should review the full eligibility criteria and submit applications via the For Women in Science platform at https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/167 before the August 14, 2026 deadline.
Prospective applicants may also seek support from regional partners such as the Caribbean Academy of Sciences, the AAAS Caribbean Division, and local institutions or the BVI Ministry of Education for guidance on preparing proposals. The awards present an opportunity for Caribbean women researchers to secure funding, increase the visibility of their work, and strengthen scientific capacity across the region.
Primary source: VINO