The fourth edition of the regional L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has officially opened applications for early-career Caribbean women researchers working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, program organizers L’Oréal Caribe and the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean have announced. The 2026 iteration will award two individual grants of $15,000 USD to selected recipients to advance their ongoing scientific work, marking another milestone in the global initiative’s mission to uplift underrepresented women in STEM across the region.
The application window will run from May 19, 2026, through the final deadline of August 14, 2026. Eligible candidates include women scientists based in the Caribbean who are currently enrolled in doctoral degree programs, conducting postdoctoral research, or working in the early phases of their independent scientific research careers across approved STEM disciplines. Acceptable fields of research include formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, materials science, engineering, and technological sciences.
This Caribbean program operates as a regional extension of the globally recognized L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science movement, which was founded to expand women’s participation in scientific research and address the persistent gender gaps that continue to shape STEM sectors worldwide. In the Caribbean, the initiative is implemented in strategic partnership with two leading regional scientific bodies: the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and the Caribbean Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Liana Camacho, Market Vice President of L’Oréal Caribe, emphasized the core value of gender diverse talent in addressing global and regional challenges. “At L’Oréal Caribe, we firmly believe that science needs the talent, creativity, and leadership of women to address the challenges of today and the future. Through For Women in Science, we seek to increase the visibility of and support women researchers who are generating knowledge and innovation with an impact on our region and the world,” Camacho said.
UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay reaffirmed the organization’s long-standing commitment to removing systemic barriers for women in scientific fields. “UNESCO works to recognize and promote the talent of women in science, foster diverse perspectives, and break down the barriers that limit their professional development,” Azoulay stated.
Beyond direct financial support, the awards also shine a spotlight on the critical contributions Caribbean women scientists make to solving pressing regional challenges. The program points to the 2025 cohort as a powerful example of this impact: last year’s recipients were two Jamaican researchers, Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher and Dr. Arianne Brown Jordan, whose work addresses urgent health and environmental priorities. Dr. Fisher’s research explores genetic risk factors for liver diseases, while Dr. Brown Jordan investigates the prevalence of waterborne bacterial diseases in distribution systems serving low-income, vulnerable communities. Both projects deliver actionable insights that directly improve quality of life across the Caribbean.
Interested applicants can access full eligibility criteria and submit their applications through the official For Women in Science online application portal. All submissions must be completed before the August 14, 2026, deadline to be considered.
As a regional division of the world’s leading beauty company, L’Oréal Caribe oversees operations across 25 Caribbean islands from its headquarters in Puerto Rico. The company’s mission centers on delivering inclusive, ethical, and sustainable beauty, with 31 international brands in its portfolio and ambitious carbon and sustainability targets under the global L’Oréal for the Future program.