L’Oréal UK and Ireland Fellowships for Women Applicants in Science, 2015

Applications are invited for L’Oréal Fellowships for a 12-month period of  postdoctoral research at any UK or Irish university or research institute. Candidates must be female postdoctoral level researchers who have already been awarded their research doctorate in the fields of life or physical science. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), or a Swiss citizen, or have permanent residence statuses in the UK or Ireland are eligible to apply for this fellowship. The value of each fellowship is £15,000 (equivalent € for candidates in Ireland).  The application deadline is 14th March.

Note: The UK & Ireland Fellowships will re-open 1 February 2015.

Study Subject(s): Fellowship is awarded in the field of life and physical sciences.
Course Level: Fellowship is available for a 12-month period of  postdoctoral research at any UK or Irish university or research institute.
Scholarship Provider: L’Oréal UK & Ireland, the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO with the support of the Royal Society
Scholarship can be taken at: UK and Ireland

Eligibility:
-Candidates must be female postdoctoral level researchers who have already been awarded their research doctorate in the fields of life or physical science.
-Candidates must have no more than 10 years’ active full-time equivalent postdoctoral experience (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).
-Candidates must not currently hold a permanent academic post, or have ever held a permanent academic post in the past, or have received, before the start date of the award, the promise of a permanent academic post.
-Candidates must be undertaking research in the life or physical sciences. Computer science, engineering, mathematics, psychology, science education and social sciences are not eligible for this Fellowship.
-Candidates must be conducting their research at a UK or Irish university or research institute.
-Candidates must be a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), or a Swiss citizen, or have permanent residence status in the UK or Ireland; and must be residing in the UK or Ireland at the time of application.
-Applications are welcomed from candidates who wish to establish/re-establish themselves after a career break or other period of absence from active research or where the candidate is establishing a research career as a mature entrant or after experience in other fields.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), or a Swiss citizen, or have permanent residence status in the UK or Ireland are eligible to apply for this fellowship.

Scholarship Description: The L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowships For Women in Science 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, to promote, enhance and encourage the contribution of women pursuing their research careers in the UK or Ireland in the fields of the life and physical sciences. The National Fellowships are offered under the umbrella of the L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Programme, which has promoted women in scientific research on a global scale since 1998. Four Fellowships will be awarded in 2014 to outstanding women scientists in the early stages of their career to enable and/or facilitate promising scientific research. The Fellowships are tenable at any UK or Irish university or research institute to support a 12-month period of postdoctoral research in any area of the life or physical sciences.

Number of award(s): Not Known

Duration of award(s): The Fellowships are awarded for 12-month period.

What does it cover? The value of each fellowship is £15,000 (equivalent € for candidates in Ireland). The Fellowships are designed to provide flexible support. The prize money can be spent in innovative ways to enable women scientists to pursue and continue their research careers â€" such as buying equipment, paying for childcare or funding travel costs to an overseas conference.

Selection Criteria: A panel of multi-disciplinary scientists will review all applications. The top 20 applications selected by this panel will be forwarded for final review and selection for interview by the Jury Panel. Both panels will shortlist candidates for interview based on equal weighting given to:
-Intellectual Merit of Candidate: Taking into account academic records, ability to plan and conduct research, ability to interpret and communicate research findings, evidence of originality, initiative and productivity, and strong recommendation in reference letters.
-Clearly Articulated Research Proposal: Taking into account the relevance of the research and its impact, the originality of the research proposal, and whether it is presented in a clear and compelling way.
-How the Fellowship Will Enhance the Candidate’s Career and/or Assist with a Successful Return to Scientific Career: Taking into account whether the candidate has made a convincing case for the difference that this flexible fellowship will make to her.

Notification: Shortlist will be published in 3rd June.

How to Apply: Online applications will be accepted.

Note: The UK & Ireland Fellowships will re-open February 2015.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 14th March.

Further Official Scholarship Information and Application