Springer Nature is currently accepting applications for The Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About The Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science
The Inspiring Women in Science awards celebrate and support the achievements of women in science, and all those who work to encourage girls and young women to engage with STEM subjects and stay in STEM careers around the world.
Benefits of The Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science
The winners of the Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science will receive:
- A prize of 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 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
The Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science Requirements
Science Outreach category
- We are looking for initiatives that have either:
- encouraged girls or young women to engage with and study natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM) or
- increased retention of women in STEM careers, with a focus on providing tools to support women through their career progression in a STEM discipline.
- We accept applications from organizations, departments, individuals (of any gender), or project teams. Please nominate one spokesperson who will be our point of contact and represent the winning entry at the award ceremony.
- Entries will have shown exceptional vision, insight, and/or imagination, and demonstrated that they encourage, support, or promote the interests of girls and/or women in STEM. We also welcome applications that include interdisciplinary components.
Scientific Achievement category
- We are looking for applicants who have made an exceptional, demonstrable contribution to scientific discovery, and may have faced significant personal or professional challenges. The applicant should exhibit the potential for developing and leading an independent research group. We are also keen that applicants have made efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists through outreach or support the retention of women in science careers.
- Applicants must self-identify as women. We use an inclusive definition of ‘woman’ and ‘women’. We welcome trans women, and genderqueer and non-binary people.
- Applicants must hold a PhD degree, a medical degree (MD), or another type of doctorate by dissertation obtained in the last 10 years.
- The previously mentioned 10 years will be extended by any maternity leave(s) or other relevant leaves of absence. Thus, the 10 years do not need to be continuous. Details of these absences will need to be specified during the application process.
- Applicants must hold a non-tenured position at the time of application. We accept applications from those working in STEM. We also welcome applications that include an interdisciplinary component.
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.
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
08 April, 2026
Opportunity Application
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The Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science
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