Underwriters Laboratories‑ASEAN‑U.S. Science Prize for Women Applications Now Open

The ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) is officially launching the call for applications for the ninth annual Underwriters Laboratories - ASEAN - U.S. Science Prize for Women competition. The contest is supported, in partnership, by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and UL Research Institutes.

The 2023 competition highlights ASEAN women scientists who are working to address climate change through research in clean energy technologies, such as renewable energy battery storage, smart grids, electric vehicles, and energy efficient products and practices. Candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields will compete in two categories: Mid-career and Senior Scientists. UL Research Institutes, a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to the discovery and application of scientific knowledge, will award $12,500 to the winners in each category and $5,000 to the runner-up finalists. Winners will be announced in October 2023.

This year’s theme, “Electrification,” will showcase women researchers who have developed innovative machines or systems using electrical power. Electrification aims to replace fossil fuel technologies (coal, oil, and natural gas) with clean energy technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation, building, and industrial sectors. Addressing emissions from these sectors, which account for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, is critical to decarbonizing the economy in the ASEAN region and, ultimately, mitigating the impacts of climate change globally.

Chair of the ASEAN COSTI 2023 and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications of Brunei Darussalam Mohammad Nazri Mohammad Yusof conveyed that, “The contribution of ASEAN women scientists in the energy sector needs to be more highlighted as their work lies in the heart of our effort to race against the energy crisis and climate change impact.”

“The global clean energy transition we’re working toward requires collaboration among the world’s best minds,” said Dr. Judy Jeevarajan, Vice President and Executive Director of the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute at UL Research Institutes. “To that end, we’re proud to support the work of these scientists as they address today’s critical environmental issues and help lay a foundation for a safer, sustainable and more secure world for all of us.”

“Women throughout ASEAN are conducting innovative research to facilitate the transition to clean energy.  We will not succeed in tackling the existential crisis of climate change without investing in women,” says U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN Yohannes Abraham.  “That’s why the United States continues to proudly partner with ASEAN and Underwriters Laboratories to promote and harness the work of women in science from across ASEAN member states.”

Since 2014, the Science Prize for Women represents a successful and ongoing U.S. initiative that supports ASEAN and its ten member states. As part of the U.S. strategic approach to the Indo-Pacific, USAID partners with ASEAN to promote prosperity and connectivity through economic inclusion, women’s empowerment, and good governance.

How to apply

Learn more about this year’s competition by visiting the Science Prize for Women website. Applicants must be ASEAN citizens and hold a doctoral degree. The deadline is April 30, 2023.  

For further competition queries, contact scienceprize4women@gmail.com. For public outreach, contact jakartausaidasean@usaid.gov.

About ASEAN 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) brings together Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam in a community united by a common desire and collective will to live in a region of lasting peace, security, stability, sustained economic growth, shared prosperity, and social progress that promotes member states’ vital interests, ideals, and aspirations.

About USAID

As part of the U.S. strategic approach to the Indo-Pacific, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works to promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, open, resilient, connected, prosperous, and secure world through international development programs and humanitarian assistance. USAID partners with ASEAN to mitigate regional challenges, improve economic growth and integration, and strengthen rule of law to shape policies that influence national sectoral approaches. Learn more 

About UL Research Institutes

UL Research Institutes is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing public safety through scientific discovery. Since 1894, our research has advanced our mission toward a safer, more secure and sustainable future. Focused on global risks from fire mitigation and air quality to safe energy storage and digital privacy, we conduct rigorous independent research, analyze safety data and partner with experts to uncover and act on existing and emerging risks to human safety. Discover more at UL.org.