Call opens for 2018 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards Nominations for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World.
Nominations for excellence in research in chemistry, mathematics and physics accepted. Deadline 15 September 2017
Download the Nomination Form and find out more about the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards here.
The Call for Nominations is open for the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World, a high-profile award which honors the scientific and career achievements of women from developing countries in five regions: Latin America and the Caribbean, the Arab region, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and East and South-East Asia and the Pacific. The theme for 2018 will be physical sciences including chemistry, mathematics and physics. Nominations will be accepted until September 15, 2017.
The awards are a collaboration between the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and The Elsevier Foundation. The competition will be judged by a distinguished panel of international scientists. One winner from each region will be announced in February 2018 at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Austin, Texas. The five winners will each receive a cash prize of US$5,000 and all-expenses paid attendance at the AAAS meeting.
The awards rotate annually between disciplines (biological sciences, engineering sciences and physical sciences) to ensure optimal exposure and networking synergies.
Previous winners say the awards have had a powerful impact, enhancing the visibility of their research and creating new research and career opportunities. “I am happy and proud to have received the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation award. It strengthens my commitment to engage in the scientific development of my country and of the Andean region," said Dr. Rivera Velásquez, who received the 2017 award in engineering and innovation.
“I was overwhelmed by the commitment and determination of the five winners in 2017. Their ambition to succeed, even under the most adverse conditions, is an inspiration to women scientists world-wide. They are true role models and we applaud their achievements,” said Jennifer Thomson, President of OWSD. “The value of these awards is far more than a mere prize. The exposure that the winners receive, not only at the award ceremony and during the AAAS conference, but long after due to the contacts they are able to make, is life-changing.”
Nominations for the 2018 awards will be accepted for early-career women working in the physical sciences who have received their PhDs within the past 10 years and live in one of the 80 scientifically lagging countries as defined by TWAS. All nominations will be reviewed by a committee of eminent researchers who represent the five regions, including members of TWAS and OWSD, and chaired by OWSD President Jennifer Thomson.
“Visibility and role models are critical for early career women scientists, and even more so in developing countries where women often face compounding societal pressures. This year, we have awarded our 7th group of winners and I can vouch for the impact this has on their careers: opening doors to new research assignments, greater mobility and enhanced international collaboration opportunities,” remarked Ylann Schemm, Director of the Elsevier Foundation. “Partnering with OWSD to support a new generation of emerging women leaders in science and technology continues to be a real honor.”
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