Review Process

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Review process for the two categories consists of four stages which are set below.

Stage 1 – Screening for applicants eligibility 

Stage 2 – Selection of the National Finalists for each category 

Stage 3 – Selection of the Two Regional Finalists for each category

Stage 4 – Selection of winner for each category

Stage 1 – Eligibility review – Once the application window has closed, the Prize administrators will review each application to verify that it is complete, and that the application meets the criteria as set out in Section V Application Requirements. Applications that do not meet the criteria will be automatically disqualified. 

The pool of eligible applicants will proceed on to Stage 2.

Stage 2 – Selection of the National Finalists for each category – One Mid-career Scientist and one Senior Scientist from each AMS.

Each ASEAN Member State (AMS) will assess all eligible applications for each category from their respective state and select one National Finalist for each category using the evaluation criteria as set out below. The decision of the AMS is final. 

The Prize administrator will notify each national finalist of her status by Mid of April 2021 by email. Upon receiving word of her selection, each National Finalist will be asked to submit a video (no more than 3 minutes) for the next stage of the judging process. Details of the content of the video will be included in the email notification. All National Finalists will have two weeks from the time of notice to submit their videos. These videos will be broadcast through YouTube and social media (LinkedIn and Twitter) of the Science Prize to highlight the work of each of the twenty National Finalists. 

Stage 3 – Selection of two Regional Finalists for each category. 

The panel which includes representatives from the UL Research Institutes, USAID, and the ASEAN Secretariat will review and score the national finalists. Two Regional Finalists from each category will be selected based on the highest and second highest scores. The names of the Regional Finalists will be officially announced through the Prize’s website and social media outlets.

The two Regional Finalists for each category will be asked to prepare an abstract of their research, a resume, and a presentation to be used in Stage 4.

Stage 4 – Selection of Winner for each category. 

This stage will be done via a pitch competition at a platform determined by the Prize administrators. The judging panel will consist of representatives from UL Research Institutes, national COSTI chairs of each ASEAN Member State, USAID, and the ASEAN Secretariat. 

Each Regional Finalist will be requested to present a 3-minute video, 4-minute presentation and engage in a 3-minute question and answer session with the judging panel. The judging panel will vote for the winner in each category of the competition.

The finalist who receives the most votes will be named the winner while the other finalist will be conferred the honorable mention.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria and scoring for the Science Prize are set out below. It is a total of 100 points.

Scientific Excellence (50 pts)

  1. Applicant clearly outlines her research that is relevant to the topic, and demonstrates not only a strong understanding of the scientific subject topic, but specifically how her research, application, technology or business model relates to the Prize topic. (20 pts)
  2. Applicant provides examples of relevant and impactful awards or merits for her work. Higher scores will be reserved for well-established awards. (10 pts)
  3. Applicant’s work appears to be highly regarded by peers. Think about: Has she been featured in media placements, policy briefs, or academic journals? Does her work suggest that she is an influencer in the field? (10 pts)
  4. Applicant outlines clear areas for growth potential in her career. Applicant demonstrates excitement, passion, and motivation for her field of work. Higher scores will be reserved for applicants who specifically demonstrate how they’d like to continue to improve in the topic of the year. (10 pts)

Mentoring, inspiring, and supporting women and up-and-coming female members of the STEM community (25 pts)

  1. Applicant shows a clear level of involvement in mentoring, supporting and/or empowering female students, colleagues or other women in STEM. Applicant provides specific examples when possible and demonstrates passion and drive to create a gender-inclusive STEM environment. (10 pts)
  2. Applicant clearly demonstrates how her work accounts for gender in the subject topic area. She explains how her work specifically enables women to be change agents in the topic area. (9 pts)
  3. Applicant provides examples of how she strives to improve opportunities for women in STEM. Applicants should note any involvement in/with or membership in organizations focused on gender inclusivity. Applicant provides details about the organization and her unique role/contribution. (6 pts)

Global Citizen (25 pts)

  1. Applicant shows a strong connection between her work and improving the implementation of topic of the year in ASEAN as a region. Applicant demonstrates how she uses science, technology and innovation to achieve these goals. (10 pts)
  2. Applicant demonstrates an active role in scientific collaboration with scientists/scientific communities of practice across ASEAN to improve the regional value chain as a whole. Higher points will be awarded to applicants who provide concrete examples of collaboration. (9 pts)
  3. Applicant shows how her work impacts her local community, country and the greater ASEAN region. Applicant provides examples where possible. Applicant sees a larger role for her work across the greater ASEAN region and the world. (6 pts)