Online applications are invited for the Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science 2025. The application deadline is April 9, 2025!
About Nature Awards
The Inspiring Women in Science awards recognize and honor the achievements of women in science, as well as individuals and organizations dedicated to encouraging girls and young women to pursue and remain in STEM fields worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria
Science Outreach category
The awards seek initiatives that have either:
- Encouraged girls or young women to engage with and pursue studies in natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM), or
- Increased the retention of women in STEM careers, particularly those focused on providing tools to support women’s career progression in STEM disciplines.
Applications are welcomed from organizations, departments, individuals (of any gender), or project teams. Each submission should nominate one spokesperson to serve as the point of contact and represent the winning entry at the award ceremony.
Eligible entries will demonstrate exceptional vision, insight, and/or creativity, and showcase efforts that encourage, support, or promote the interests of girls and women in STEM. Applications that include interdisciplinary components are also encouraged.
Scientific Achievement Category
The awards are seeking applicants who have made exceptional, measurable contributions to scientific discovery and may have overcome significant personal or professional challenges.
- Applicants should demonstrate the potential to develop and lead an independent research group.
- Additionally, the awards value applicants who have made efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists through outreach or initiatives that support the retention of women in science careers.
- Applicants must self-identify as women.
- The definition of “woman” is inclusive, welcoming trans women, as well as genderqueer and non-binary individuals.
To be eligible, applicants must hold a PhD, medical degree (MD), or another doctorate by dissertation obtained within the last 10 years. This 10-year window may be extended for maternity leave or other relevant absences, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis during the application process.
Applicants must hold a non-tenured position at the time of application. The awards are open to those working in STEM fields, with a particular interest in applications that include interdisciplinary components.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be assessed by our panel based on the following criteria:
- Science Outreach category
- Description of your initiative.
- Success and impact of your initiative.
- Future plans.
- Scientific Achievement category
- Scientific achievements.
- Publications.
- Activities beyond research.
Key Dates
- Applications open: 15th January 2025
- Application deadline: 9th April 2025
- Application assessment: April to August 2025
- Successful applicants notified: September 2025
- Winner announced: October 2025
Prizes
The winners of the Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science will receive:
- A prize of INR 43,72,674 / US$50,000.
- An invitation to the award ceremony in London or New York, with accommodation and travel expenses paid by the organiser.
- Coverage on nature.com
- An invitation to present their work or initiative to the scientists at The Estée Lauder Companies
- Mentoring through The Estée Lauder Companies
The runners up will receive:
- A prize of INR 4,37,150 / US$5,000.
- An invitation to the award ceremony in London or New York, with accommodation and travel expenses paid by the organiser
The shortlisted applicants will:
- Be profiled on the Nature Awards website
- Have access to an exclusive coaching and networking community
How to Apply?
Interested candidates can directly apply through this link.
Deadline
The application deadline is April 9, 2025!
