Deadline: 06-Sep-2026
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Indonesia Program 2026 invites nominations for Indonesian women scientists working in Life Sciences and Non-Life Sciences. The programme provides research grants of Rp 100,000,000 to support innovative scientific research that contributes to scientific advancement, innovation, and national development in Indonesia.
Four awards will be granted in total, including two awards for Life Sciences and two for Non-Life Sciences. Eligible applicants must be Indonesian women researchers holding a PhD or currently enrolled in a doctoral programme and must submit research proposals along with supporting documents through the official application system.
What is the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Indonesia Program?
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Indonesia Program is a scientific research funding initiative designed to recognize and support Indonesian women researchers contributing to scientific advancement and innovation.
The programme promotes the participation and leadership of women in science by providing research funding and recognition to outstanding women scientists working across various scientific disciplines. The initiative also supports national development through research that contributes to social progress, scientific knowledge, and innovation.
The programme is part of the broader global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science initiative that supports women researchers worldwide.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Support Indonesian women scientists and researchers.
- Promote scientific innovation and research excellence.
- Advance research contributing to national development.
- Strengthen women’s participation in science and technology.
- Encourage scientific leadership among women researchers.
- Support impactful and socially relevant scientific research.
Research Areas Supported
The programme supports research in both:
- Life Sciences.
- Non-Life Sciences.
Life Sciences
Eligible Life Sciences research areas may include:
- Biology.
- Biotechnology.
- Medical and health sciences.
- Environmental and life sciences.
- Genetics and related disciplines.
Non-Life Sciences
Supported Non-Life Sciences fields include:
- Physical Sciences.
- Material Science.
- Engineering.
- Information Technology.
- Mathematics.
- Chemistry.
- Physics.
- Earth Sciences.
- Related scientific and technological disciplines.
Research proposals must align with the programme’s scientific focus areas.
Number of Awards Available
A total of:
- Four awards
will be granted under the 2026 programme.
This includes:
- Two awards for Life Sciences.
- Two awards for Non-Life Sciences.
Funding Available
Each selected applicant will receive:
- Rp 100,000,000 (one hundred million Indonesian rupiah).
The grant funding is intended to support:
- Research implementation expenses.
- Scientific project activities.
- Research-related operational costs.
The funded research period is expected to last:
- Six to twelve months.
Who is Eligible?
The programme is open to Indonesian women researchers who meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants must:
- Be Indonesian women scientists or researchers.
- Hold a PhD, OR
- Be currently enrolled in a doctoral study programme.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be:
- No older than 45 years as of January 1, 1981.
Research Eligibility
Research proposals must:
- Be within the eligible Life Sciences or Non-Life Sciences fields.
- Demonstrate scientific relevance and innovation.
- Contribute to scientific advancement and societal progress.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit several supporting documents as part of the nomination process.
Required documents include:
- Research proposal of up to five pages.
- Letters of recommendation from at least two research supervisors.
- Official academic transcripts or proof of PhD.
- Letter of approval from the host institution if facilities are used.
- One-page curriculum vitae or resume.
All application materials must be submitted through:
- The official programme website.
Research Proposal Requirements
The research proposal should clearly explain:
- Research objectives and scientific significance.
- Proposed methodology and implementation plan.
- Expected outcomes and innovation potential.
- Contribution to scientific advancement and society.
- Timeline for research activities.
Strong proposals should demonstrate both scientific quality and practical impact.
Selection Process
Applicants will undergo a final selection process before awards are granted.
Selection is based on:
- Scientific merit of the research proposal.
- Quality of supporting documentation.
- Innovation and research relevance.
- Potential scientific and societal impact.
- Alignment with programme priorities.
The programme aims to support high-quality and impactful scientific research led by women researchers.
Award Announcement
Selected winners will be officially announced during:
- An awarding ceremony in November 2026.
The programme recognizes both scientific excellence and contributions to national development through research.
Why This Programme Matters
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Indonesia Program plays an important role in promoting gender equality and scientific leadership in Indonesia.
Key benefits include:
- Supporting women’s participation in science and research.
- Strengthening scientific innovation and national development.
- Encouraging leadership among women researchers.
- Providing research funding and professional recognition.
- Promoting scientific excellence across multiple disciplines.
- Supporting future scientific discoveries and societal impact.
The initiative also contributes to increasing visibility and opportunities for women scientists in Indonesia.
Expected Outcomes
The programme is expected to support:
- High-impact scientific research projects.
- Innovation and scientific advancement.
- Increased participation of women in STEM fields.
- Research contributing to national and social development.
- Professional growth and recognition for women scientists.
- Strengthened scientific collaboration and research capacity.
The initiative aims to empower women researchers and strengthen Indonesia’s scientific ecosystem.
How Applications are Evaluated
Applications are likely to be assessed based on:
- Scientific quality and originality.
- Research relevance and feasibility.
- Potential societal and scientific impact.
- Innovation and contribution to knowledge.
- Quality of supporting documents and recommendations.
- Alignment with programme focus areas.
Strong applications should clearly demonstrate research excellence and practical contribution.
Tips for Preparing a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their applications by focusing on the following areas:
- Clearly explain the scientific importance of the research.
- Present realistic and well-structured methodologies.
- Demonstrate innovation and societal relevance.
- Include strong recommendation letters.
- Ensure all supporting documents are complete and accurate.
- Highlight expected research outcomes and impact.
- Align the proposal with programme priorities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following issues:
- Submitting incomplete application documents.
- Weak or unclear research methodologies.
- Poor explanation of research impact.
- Failure to align with eligible scientific fields.
- Missing institutional approval documentation where required.
- Incomplete recommendation letters or academic records.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Indonesia Program?
It is a research funding and recognition programme supporting Indonesian women scientists in Life Sciences and Non-Life Sciences.
How many awards are available?
Four awards will be granted in total.
How much funding does each recipient receive?
Each selected applicant will receive Rp 100,000,000.
Who can apply for the programme?
Eligible applicants are Indonesian women researchers who hold a PhD or are currently enrolled in a doctoral programme.
What research fields are supported?
The programme supports Life Sciences and Non-Life Sciences, including engineering, IT, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and related disciplines.
What documents are required?
Applicants must submit a research proposal, recommendation letters, academic proof, institutional approval if required, and a resume.
When will winners be announced?
Winners will be announced during the awarding ceremony in November 2026.
Conclusion
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Indonesia Program 2026 provides valuable funding and recognition opportunities for Indonesian women researchers contributing to scientific advancement and innovation. Through research grants, professional recognition, and support for impactful scientific work, the programme strengthens women’s leadership in science and supports national development goals.
The initiative highlights the importance of gender inclusion, scientific excellence, and innovation across multiple research disciplines. Indonesian women scientists with strong and impactful research proposals are encouraged to apply for this prestigious opportunity.
For more information, visit For Women in Science.
