The contribution of women scientists is undeniable – innovative and important scientific discoveries that have a major impact on society and on solving global challenges such as the fight against infectious diseases and climate change. However, there is a serious social problem with the imbalance in the representation of women in scientific fields. Only 33% of the world's researchers are women, and only 4% of Nobel Prizes in science are awarded to women. The For Women in Science program is committed to addressing this issue by providing financial support to talented women scientists and actively encouraging them to choose a career in science. It is important because not only helps to create equal opportunities in scientific fields, but also supports the development of science in general.

The program contributes significantly to society by promoting equality and innovation in science. Awards are given to women scientists developing important research in the natural sciences. Applicants are required to have Bulgarian citizenship, be 35 years of age or younger, and be enrolled in or have completed a doctoral degree. To promote the program, the organizers rely on the support of the country's scientific community, universities, scientific and government institutions, and the media.

The program is part of L'Oréal's long-standing social responsibility strategy, contributing to its commitment to promoting equality and innovation. Launched in 1998 in partnership between L'Oréal and UNESCO, it seeks to invest in the progress of science, promote the role of women in science and encourage gender diversity in this field. Since its launch in Bulgaria in 2010, the initiative has honoured a total of 36 talented women scientists with a total prize fund of 180,000 euros.

The program in 2023 was particularly exciting, with the number of honoured ladies reaching 36 and the prize fund awarded reaching €180,000. The winning projects were impressive – new antibiotic therapy development, AI-based diagnosis of schizophrenia and the study of comets. These achievements clearly demonstrate the importance of actively supporting women scientists and reflect the strength of the program's motto: The world needs science and science needs women! We undertook year-round activities and a comprehensive approach to promote the program through various media channels, social networks, and universities in Bulgaria. We built partnerships with nearly 20 local media, resulting in 286 publications with a total media reach of 291,960,887. An exciting moment for the program was the award ceremony, attended by high public figures, incl. the Vice President of Bulgaria, representatives of Sofia Municipality, the Ministry of Education and Science and BAS, which clearly underlined the importance and prestige of the event. The aim of the ceremony was to give Bulgarian winners the recognition they deserve and to highlight the need for more women researchers.

The program not only recognizes and stimulates the scientific potential of women scientists, but also funds the implementation of their projects in Bulgaria and their participation in international scientific forums and trainings. This support not only encourages them to broaden their skills and knowledge, but also to actively engage in the global scientific community. The program has awarded 36 ladies and created the first community of young women scientists in Bulgaria, enabling them to share experiences, support each other and develop important links in the scientific community. The strong media and public interest, reflected in 280+ publications in 2023, is helping to raise the profile of the profession 'scientist' and sparking a stronger public dialogue about the scientists’ key role.