The objective of the support programme

The objective of this new programme is to promote excellence in scientific research in Germany. Financial support is given to highly qualified and dedicated women scientists whose personal circumstances, especially frequently in the German case, may cause the interruption or may even end an otherwise highly promising career just about to start off. Young women scientists, through this programme, can take advantage of their full scientific potential through individual support being given to them. The key idea is to provide time to concentrate on scientific work.

The support programme in details

Three post-doctoral fellows will be supported for the period of one year starting from the date the award is presented to them. An amount of up to EUR 20,000 will be awarded to each fellow and will cover expenses in the following three areas:

1. Financial support of up to EUR 400 per month to cover home help or to cover additional child care, to provide extra time for the scientific workof the fellow
   
2. An individual career advancement programme with components such as provision of coaching and
   mentoring as well as participation in career seminars and international conferences
3. Financial support for the host institution to be utilized in accordance with the objectives of the grant programme

Who can apply?

The programme is open to promising, highly qualified, female post-doctoral fellows who have completed their PhD no longer than two years ago. Eligible are applicants from the experimental life sciences, medicine, and other scientific disciplines with long hours of work in inflexible, strict working conditions.

Preconditions of a successful application are that the living expenses are already covered by a work contract or scholarship and that the children receive care either in a day care facility or by a nanny. The research during the period of support must be carried out in Germany except for temporary work periods abroad.

How do you apply?

The following documents should accompany the application, preferably in PDF format:

• A C.V. set out in tabular form
• Copies of all relevant certificates
• A short report outlining the scientific work currently carried out, the planned progress including concrete research objectives and a provisional research schedule (max. 2 pages)
• A short outline of the personal situation and the anticipated use of the financial support (max. 0,5 page)
• Two reference letters from scientists who are acquainted with the research work you’re involved in. Please refer to the “Notes for authors of reference letters” on the www.cnv-stiftung.de website.

Send your application to: unesco-loreal@cnv-stiftung.de

Closing date is 31 December each calendar year. Further information can be found online at:  www.fwis-programm.de and  www.cnv-stiftung.de. 

The selection procedure

Candidates on the short-list will be invited to an interview approximately three weeks after receipt of their application. The decision based on the interview will be made known to the candidates on the short list two weeks after the interview at the latest.

The jury

Prof Dr Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard
Director at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology.
Studied biology, physics and biochemistry in Frankfurt und Tübingen, Germany.
PhD in 1973. Professor 1985. Embryology and genetics.
Nobel Prize in medicine 1995.
Member of various councils.

Prof Dr Maria Leptin
Dept. of Development Genetics, Cologne University, Institute of Genetics.
Degrees in mathematics and biology from Bonn and Heidelberg, Germany.
PhD in 1979. Full Professor 1994. Cell and Developmental Biology. Member of various councils. 2 sons.

Dr Brigitte Mühlenbruch
Vice president of the European Platform of Women Scientists (EPWS), Brussels, Belgium.
Studied Pharmacy in Würzburg und Bonn, Germany. PhD in 1969. Member of various councils.

Dr Lutz Möller
German Commission for UNESCO

Dr Ludger Neumann
L’Oréal Research

The partners

The Christiane Nüsslein volhard Foundation's aim is to facilitate the progress of highly qualified women scientists with children in the hope that more of them will reach the top of the ladder in scientific research. By providing them with funds for additional childcare and domestic help, outstanding post-doctoral fellows have more time to concentrate on their scientific work. Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard is a Nobel prize winner and in 2006, received a L’Oréal-UNESCO special award for her outstanding work the area of women in science.

The German Commission for UNESCO is the first point of contact for all UNESCO affairs in Germany and has a liaison function for German foreign cultural policy. Its purposes are to advise the government on all matters  relating to Germany's membership in UNESCO, to implement UNESCO’s programmes and projects in Germany and to inform the public about the objectives and activities of UNESCO. UNESCO is the United Nations specialized organisation for education, science, culture and communication and contributes to peace and security through international collaboration in those areas. Since its creation in 1945, it has been dedicated to eliminating all forms of discrimination and promoting gender equality.

L’Oréal is a worldwide leader in the cosmetics industry, represented in 130 countries. Around 3,000 people work in the Group’s research centres, located in France, Asia and America. L’Oréal research registers over 500 patents each year. Women represent 55% of the research workforce – a percentage unmatched anywhere else in the industry.