L’Oréal Groupe Mexico, in partnership with UNESCO and the Mexican Academy of Sciences (AMC), has launched the 2026 call for applications for the “For Women in Science” program on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11). The initiative aims to promote and recognize the achievements of women scientists in Mexico while supporting their contributions to knowledge and innovation.
Araceli Becerril, Corporate Responsibility Director at L’Oréal Mexico, highlighted the company’s commitment to gender equality in science, noting that 69% of L’Oréal researchers are women and they hold 55% of the company’s patents. She emphasized that the program seeks to remove barriers for women in STEM and foster a future where scientific opportunities are accessible to all.
UNESCO Representative in Mexico, Andrés Morales, observed that despite more young women attending higher education than men worldwide, only 35% of STEM graduates are women, and just one in three researchers is female. He stressed that addressing these structural gaps is essential not only for fairness but also for sustainable development and scientific progress.
Dr. José Seade Kuri, President of the Mexican Academy of Sciences, affirmed the AMC’s support for the program, noting that it is crucial to recognize the research contributions of women and increase their visibility in science and technology fields.
The program offers two main opportunities. Established women researchers in Mexico can compete for three awards of MXN $250,000 each, recognizing outstanding achievements in exact sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and technology. Young women scientists conducting postdoctoral research can apply for five fellowships of MXN $160,000 each, aimed at supporting their research projects and advancing knowledge in these fields.
Eligibility for the awards requires candidates to be over 50 years old with at least 15 years of experience at Mexican institutions. Postdoctoral fellowship applicants must have earned their doctoral degree within the past five years and be under 40 years old by May 1, 2026. The application deadline for both opportunities is Monday, April 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Mexico Time.
