Applications have been invited for the 2015 L'Oreal - UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East Fellowships, launched in partnership with Zayed University in the UAE, from women scientists and researchers.

Held under the patronage of Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development of the UAE and President of Zayed University, the very first programme of its kind, L'Oreal - UNESCO for Women in Science was founded in 1998 in the firm belief that the world needs science and science needs women.

For the past 17 years, the L'Oreal - UNESCO for Women in Science programme has recognised and honoured over 2,250 exceptional women scientists from 115 countries and provided fellowships for promising young women researchers at crucial junctures in their careers when stereotypes and pre-conceived notions could be most detrimental.

The 2015 L'Oreal - UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East Fellowships reflect the consolidated efforts invested by UNESCO and L'Oreal, in close cooperation with Zayed University in the UAE, to empower Arab women scientists, in serious recognition of their achievements and contributions to the progress of science and scientific research, and in acknowledging the role they play in the development of their countries.

Four fellowships of 20,000 Euros each will be given out in 2015 to four women scientists holding a PhD in the field of Life Sciences or Physical Sciences or pursuing a Master's/ research leading to a PhD degree, and coming from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or Yemen.

Applications for the 2015 fellowships should be submitted on the official web-site between the 20th April and 25th June.

All applications will be evaluated by a pan-Arab panel of eminent scientists, chaired by Professor Mouin Hamze, Secretary-General of the National Council for Scientific Research.
Source: WAM