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Call for applications for the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
The UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will foster collaboration, advancement and popularization of science and international cooperation to advance scientific expertise globally and meet the needs of young scientists in countries that are lagging behind in science and technology.
Science has been transforming the world we live in. It has been impacting our quality of life in a myriad of ways. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are at the heart of this science-led process of change. STEM are increasingly recognized as fundamental driver of countries’ socio-economic development strategies.
Many countries are experiencing STEM education crises. The best and brightest students are opting out of STEM subjects at alarming rates, due to lack of interest, lack of access, as well as the lack of teaching methodologies and in many cases the absence of inspiration through role models. We need role models, but we also need to address the challenges facing girls and women in STEM education. We need to introduce more gender responsive approach to teaching STEM subjects and to ensure that we reduce the gender gap in digital literacy.
2022 marks the first edition of the Prize.
Applications may be submitted until15 April2025 (midnight, UTC+1) by Member States through their National Commissions to UNESCO, or by non-governmental organizations in official partnership with UNESCO and active in fields covered by the Prize, UNESCO Chairs, category 2 centres, international scientific unions, and universities.
The application process will take place online, starting from 15 September 2024, via the following link: https://unescoalfozanprize.org/. The Secretariat of the Prize is available to answer any questions you may have (unescoalfozanprize@unesco.org).
About the Prize
The UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) aims to strengthen STEM research, STEM education and international cooperation to confront the global challenges addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Prize will give recognition to the achievements of young people that are conducive to socio-economic transformation and development on a global scale while also increasing the interest of young people, particularly girls and women, in science so as to promote gender equality, scientific literacy and the choice of a scientific career.
It is awarded every two years to five laureates from the five geographic regions of UNESCO (Africa, Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America and Latin America and the Caribbean), its purpose to encourage youth participation in STEM, in particular women and girls, so as to promote gender equality, scientific literacy and the choice of a scientific career.
The Prize consists of an award of US $ 50,000 for each of the five laureates as well as a medal and a diploma. In line with UNESCO’s global priority on Gender Equality, the proposed Prize will also serve to encourage more women to adopt and pursue a STEM career.
The Al Fozan Foundation (Saudi Arabia) proposed to establish and fund a UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for the promotion of young scientists in STEM to contribute to generating STEM research, technology, and innovation, as well as pushing the production and application of scientific knowledge to the centre of societal and economic development, in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Application process
Eligibility Criteria
The Prize is awarded to candidates shall have earned recognition for their significant achievement/contribution to:
- Research in the STEM including the emerging technologies or;
- STEM education, dissemination of research findings, as well as creativity and innovation or;
- International or regional cooperation in STEM.
Candidates must be less than 40 years old at the time of the application deadline.
Candidatures of young women scientists are encouraged.
Who can submit nominations?
The nominations can be submitted by the following entities:
- Governments of Member States, in consultation with their National Commissions
- Non-governmental organizations maintaining official partnerships with UNESCO and active in relevant fields covered by the Prize
- UNESCO Chairs
- Category 2 Centres
- International scientific unions
- Universities
Nominations must be completed in full in English or French.
Each nomination shall be accompanied by a written recommendation, which shall include:
- a description of the candidate’s background and achievements
- a summary of the work, publications and other supporting documents of major importance, submitted for consideration
- a description of the candidate’s contribution to the Prize’s objectives.
No self-nomination shall be considered.