CNPq Announces Preliminary Results for 2nd Women and Science Award Highlighting 684 Brazilian Female Researchers
The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) announced preliminary winners of the 2nd Women and Science Award, recognizing 684 outstanding Brazilian female scientists across multiple disciplines with a focus on encouraging young women's participation in STEM.
- • CNPq announced preliminary results for the 2nd Women and Science Award with 684 submissions.
- • A new Incentive category encourages young women aged 15-29 to pursue STEM careers.
- • Winners include Lara Dourado Borges, Raíssa da Luz Rangel, and Laíza de Almeida Bride.
- • The award ceremony will be held on March 5, 2026, in Brasília.
Key details
The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) has released the preliminary results of the 2nd Women and Science Award, showcasing outstanding Brazilian women researchers across diverse scientific fields. This initiative underscores the importance of promoting gender equity and supporting women's careers in science, technology, and innovation in Brazil.
The award drew 684 submissions distributed across four categories, including a new Incentive category designed to encourage young women aged 15 to 29 to pursue careers in STEM disciplines. Winners in this youth-focused category include Lara Dourado Borges and Laíza de Almeida Bride from the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo (IFES), and Raíssa da Luz Rangel from the Federal Institute of Bahia (IFBA).
Selection criteria for the award emphasized rigorous technical standards, such as scientific production, the impact and relevance of research, and contributions to training new researchers. The award recognizes women from multiple regions and academic disciplines, including life sciences, exact sciences and engineering, and humanities and arts, with recipients hailing from prominent Brazilian universities.
This edition of the award is realized through a collaboration between CNPq, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Women, the British Council Brazil, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is part of ongoing efforts to reduce historical inequalities and foster a scientific environment more inclusive of women’s contributions.
Candidates have the opportunity to submit appeals to the preliminary results, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process. The final award ceremony is scheduled for March 5, 2026, at the CNPq headquarters in Brasília.
The 2nd Women and Science Award not only celebrates individual achievements but also aims to reinforce public policies promoting women’s permanence in scientific careers and enhance the visibility of female researchers throughout Brazil.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
