The future of science requires a robust and diverse workforce drawn from all corners of society. Our programs advance women in science, encourage underserved youth to choose STEM careers, and widen access to academic knowledge for scientists in developing countries.

Early career researchers

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OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Women in Science Awards

Since 2012 the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World recognize the achievements of researchers who have made significant contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Falling Walls Foundation: Female Science Talents Program

The Program promotes and supports young talented women, helping them to make the transition from science to industry, offering them an international stage at the Berlin Science Week, and providing networks to help them be visible beyond Germany’s borders.

Asian Scientist-Elsevier Foundation Salon for Leadership in STEM

A two-day intensive leadership program that aims to equip women with the skills required for professional development and success. It is designed to create a safe space for women to gather, exchange ideas, get inspired and support one another in their professional journey.

Vitae: Equality, diversity and inclusion in the research ecosystem

This project addresses the under-representation of early-career scientists of Black origin in the UK, focusing on the postdoctoral level. It will convene researchers, grant recipients and stakeholders to listen, identify priorities, experiment and share good practice around successful support programs.

RIKEN: Envisioning Futures

Interview women PIs in Japan, focusing on their leadership and laboratory management skills, and how they overcame challenges. By formalizing and disseminating these experiences, the project accelerates the development of women researchers aiming for leadership positions.

Cell Press: Rising Black scientists awards

Recognizing that success in science is driven not only by a combination of talent and motivation but also access to a strong support network and opportunities, the Rising Black Scientists Awards support talented and motivated young Black scientists on their journey.

Climate Action & Research in the Global South

The Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge

The Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge awards projects that use green and sustainable chemistry solutions to tackle some of the Global South’s greatest challenges — supporting UN SDG13, Climate Action.

TWAS: Women in climate action research

To support action-based projects with a direct impact on society, the World Academy of Sciences provides research grants for projects led by women scientists that address concrete problems in climate change through collaboration and interdisciplinary research.

Research4Life: Country Connectors

The Country Connectors program aims to address the need for local interventions to heighten awareness and strengthen capacity of information use and management, as well as build communities of evidence users within national and regional settings.

COACh: Water First!

Water First! is led by the COACh organization at University of Oregon. Its aim is to offer African women the opportunity of maximizing their effectiveness in tackling water challenges in their home countries, through a series of in-country and online expert workshops.

Young talent

IMC Weekend School: Amsterdam STEM program

In Amsterdam, the IMC Weekend School works to foster the future of science and help underserved children get greater exposure to science and health education – both encouraging STM careers and promoting positive professional role models.

Girls Inc.: Data Analytics Preparatory Program

The Pre-G3: The Elsevier Foundation Data Analytics Preparatory Program is run with Girls’ Inc of New York. The program aims to offer girls tangible skills at a lower developmental level to prepare them for the concepts they will encounter in the high school programs.

INCLUSIVE RESEARCH News

Tackling water quality through grassroots collaboration

Gaining funding (and trust) for a freshwater algal bloom alert system in Sri Lanka

Supporting research communities with the Research4Life Country Connectors

Ready to break the glass ceiling? Six ideas for Europe to better support gender-balanced leadership in research

Targeting toxins in the rivers of Bangladesh and the role of open access

Chemistry for Climate Action winners use volcanic rocks and white-rot fungi for waste management

Winning Chemistry Projects Deliver Practical Climate Change Solutions in the Global South

New report: Building capacity and equity in research and health, for an inclusive and sustainable future

Connecting and cultivating knowledge: Stories of impact from Research4Life’s Country Connectors  

5 women scientists from Global South win award for water quality research

Five talented women scientists from the global South win OWSD-Elsevier Foundation research prize for their work on new ways to tackle water quality issue

Podcast: University leaders on “breaking the glass ceiling”