Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has launched the fourth edition of the «Science, She Says!» award, a prize recognizing junior female scientists who have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology through research conducted in different regions of the world.
The award will be presented to five foreign female researchers, each representing a distinct geographic area: Africa and the Middle East; Asia and the Pacific; Europe; Central and South America; and North America. The Embassy of Italy in France announced the call for applications, with a submission deadline of September 16, 2026, for candidates in the Europe region, including France.
A jury composed of representatives from leading public research institutions, Italy's Ministry of University and Research, the Conference of Italian University Rectors, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will select the winners. The composition of the jury reflects an effort to draw on established scientific expertise across multiple institutional bodies rather than a single agency.
The prize is aimed specifically at junior female scientists, a category that often faces structural barriers to visibility and funding in the early stages of a research career. By focusing on this group, the award seeks to highlight work that may not yet have received broad international recognition but has already contributed to scientific and technological progress.
The geographic distribution of the five awards is designed to ensure representation across world regions rather than concentrating recognition in a single part of the globe. Each laureate will be selected from a different area, with the Europe region covering candidates conducting research in France and elsewhere in Europe.
Applicants for the Europe region, country France, must follow the call for applications issued through the Italian Embassy in France. The announcement provides information on eligibility and submission requirements, with all materials due by the September 16, 2026 deadline.
The award is now in its fourth edition, indicating an ongoing institutional commitment by Italy's foreign ministry to recognizing women in science on an international scale. Over successive editions, the prize has become a recurring fixture in the scientific diplomacy calendar, linking research excellence with Italy's diplomatic network abroad.
For junior researchers, international awards of this kind can serve as a signal of peer recognition that supports career advancement, collaboration opportunities, and access to broader research networks. The selection process, involving public research institutions and university representatives, is intended to lend scientific credibility to the outcome.
Prospective candidates in the Europe region are advised to consult the official call for applications for full details on eligibility, required documentation, and submission procedures. The deadline of September 16, 2026, applies to the Europe region, country France, and interested researchers should prepare their materials accordingly.