Deadline: April 8, 2026
Applications are open for the Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science 2026. The Inspiring Women in Science awards celebrate and support the achievements of women in science, and all those who work to encourage girls and young women to engage with STEM subjects and stay in STEM careers around the world.
They invite applications in two award categories — Science Outreach and Scientific Achievement.
Benefits
The winners of the Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science will receive:
- A prize of US$50,000
- An invitation to the award ceremony in London or New York, with accommodation and travel expenses paid by the organiser.
- 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 runners up will receive:
- A prize of US$5,000
- An invitation to the award ceremony in London or New York, with accommodation and travel expenses paid by the organiser
The shortlisted applicants will:
- Be profiled on the Nature Awards website
- Have access to an exclusive coaching and networking community
Eligibility
Science Outreach Category
They are looking for initiatives that have either:
- encouraged girls or young women to engage with and study natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM) or
- increased retention of women in STEM careers, with a focus on providing tools to support women through their career progression in a STEM discipline.
They accept applications from organizations, departments, individuals (of any gender), or project teams. Nominate one spokesperson who will be the point of contact and represent the winning entry at the award ceremony.
Scientific Achievement Category
- They are looking for applicants who have made an exceptional, demonstrable contribution to scientific discovery, and may have faced significant personal or professional challenges. The applicant should exhibit the potential for developing and leading an independent research group. They are also keen that applicants have made efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists through outreach or support the retention of women in science careers.
- Applicants must self-identify as women. They use an inclusive definition of ‘woman’ and ‘women’. They welcome trans women, and genderqueer and non-binary people.
- Applicants must hold a PhD degree, a medical degree (MD), or another type of doctorate by dissertation obtained in the last 10 years.
- The previously mentioned 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.
- Applicants must hold a non-tenured position at the time of application. They accept applications from those working in STEM. They also welcome applications that include an interdisciplinary component.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be assessed by a panel based on the following criteria:
- Science Outreach category
- Description of your initiative
- Success and impact of your initiative
- Future plans
- Scientific Achievement category
- Scientific achievements
- Publications
- Activities beyond research
Application
Entries must be complete and submitted by 11:59 pm UTC 00:00 on the 8th April 2026 to be eligible.
For more information, visit Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science.
