The application is now open for Nature Research Awards for Inspiring Women in Science. In this post, you will get to know the eligibility, Procedure, Important dates, and criteria, etc.
Nature Research Awards for Inspiring Women in Science
The aim of this award is to encourage and supports girls and young women to study, engage with and enjoy STEM subjects. The scope of the awards reflects two award categories, that describe the work they recognize –
- Science Outreach and
- Scientific Achievement.
The aim of the awards, in partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies, is to celebrate and support the achievements of women in science, and of all those who work to encourage girls and young women to engage with STEM subjects and who work to support women to stay in STEM careers around the world. STEM includes natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.
Categories of the Award
As we discussed there are two categories one can apply.
1. Science Outreach category
The Science Outreach category is presented to a project, organization or program that supports girls and young women to study, engage with and enjoy STEM subjects, or that increases the retention of women in science careers. Initiatives across academia, education, NGOs, and corporate entities can be considered for the award.
Eligibility criteria
Accepting applications from organizations, departments, individuals (of any gender) or project teams. Entries will have shown exceptional vision, insight, and/or imagination and demonstrated that they encourage, support or promote the interest of girls and/or women in STEM.
Evaluation criteria
Applications will be assessed by our expert judging panel consisting of editors from Nature Portfolio, independent experts and experts from our corporate partner, The Estée Lauder Companies. Each award category will have a separate judging panel. Panel members will review applications to create a shortlist of applicants for each award category. Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Description of your initiative
- The success of your initiative
- Future plans
2. Scientific Achievement category
The Scientific Achievement category is given to early-career researchers who self-identify as women, and who have made an exceptional contribution to scientific discovery and the literature, sometimes despite challenges relating to resources, location or language skills.
Eligibility criteria
- Applicants must self-identify as women. We use an inclusive definition of ‘woman’ and ‘women’. We welcome trans women, gender queer and non-binary people.
- Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree or a medical degree, or other types of doctorate by dissertation. A PhD or doctorate by dissertation is a globally recognized postgraduate academic degree awarded by a university or higher education institution to a person who has submitted a thesis or dissertation, based on extensive and original research in their chosen field.
- Applicants must be within 10 years of completing their Ph.D. degree or medical degree, or other types of doctorate by dissertation:
- Completion of their Ph.D. (or medical degree) is defined as the date the Ph.D. (or medical degree) or doctorate by dissertation was approved by the institutional panel following submission of their dissertation and/or oral examination. It is not the date of their graduation.
- The abovementioned 10 years will be extended by any maternity leave(s) or other relevant leaves of absence. Thus, the 10 years do not need to be continuous. Details of these absences will need to be specified during the application process.
- If applicants hold both a PhD and a medical degree, the graduation date of the most recently awarded will be used.
- Applicants must hold a non-tenured position. This includes those who have non-permanent postdoctoral and/or non-permanent tenure-track positions (or equivalents such as proleptic lecturer positions). Those in a tenured position (or equivalents, such as a permanent lecturer position) are not eligible to apply.
- We accept applications from those working in natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
Each category winner receives a monetary grant of US$40,000 to spend on initiatives relating to their work, as well as mentoring through The Estée Lauder Companies and other publicity opportunities.
Prizes
The winners of the Nature Research Awards for Inspiring Women in Science, Science Outreach category will receive:
- A prize of US$40,000
- An invitation to the award ceremony in London, with accommodation and travel expenses paid by the organizer. In the event that it is not possible or advisable to hold such a ceremony, an alternative presentation or acknowledgment will be arranged.
- Coverage on nature.com
- An invitation to present their work or initiative to the scientists at The Estée Lauder Companies
- Mentoring through The Estée Lauder Companies
The shortlisted applicants will:
- Be profiled on the Nature Research Award website
- Have access to an exclusive mentoring and networking community site
Also read: British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
Important Dates
| 12th April 2021 | Application window opens |
| 20th June 2021 | Application window closes |
| September 2021 | Shortlist announced |
| October 2021 | Winner announced |
Can You apply for both of the award categories?
The Scientific Achievement and Scientific Outreach categories are separate, you may submit a single application to both categories if you are eligible. An applicant cannot appear on 2 or more shortlists in one calendar year. All shortlisted applicants will be contacted by September 2021.
How to apply?
Applications must be submitted through the online application form. The questions you will need to answer are listed below for reference. Entries must be complete (that is, all required fields are complete) and submitted by 20th June 2021 23:59 BST to be eligible.
Important Contact Information for Nature Research Awards for Inspiring Women in Science
Elizabeth Hawkins | Springer Nature | Communications
tel +49 6221 487 8130 | elizabeth.hawkins@springernature.com
