L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Rising Talents

Rather than a direct open application, Rising Talents works through a two-stage nomination system: women scientists are first selected by independent national or regional juries as "Young Talents" or fellows of the local For Women in Science program (many countries, including in South Asia, run their own national editions). Those national fellows are then invited to apply to the international committee, which selects 15 Rising Talents worldwide each year based on the excellence and impact of their research.

Selected Rising Talents receive a €15,000 grant on top of whatever support they received at the national level, along with international recognition at a global awards ceremony, media visibility, and access to a dedicated leadership development program designed to build skills in communication, networking, and career advancement -- areas where women scientists are often under-supported relative to their research training.

The programme spans all scientific disciplines -- from life sciences and physics to mathematics, computer science, and engineering -- with no restriction to a specific field, making it broadly relevant to Pakistani women pursuing doctoral or postdoctoral research in any STEM discipline, provided they first secure recognition through a national or regional For Women in Science fellowship or equivalent nomination route.

Because the pathway runs through national juries, prospective applicants should first identify whether a For Women in Science national program operates in their country or region, since direct international applications outside that nomination structure are not accepted.