The United States Government, in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and UL, aim to strengthen ASEAN science and technology capacity and gender equality and improvement through an annual ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women (“Prize”). The 2019 Prize will provide promising, ASEAN-based, early-to mid-career female scientists with recognition awards from ASEAN and the United States government for their academic and professional achievements.

The 2019 Prize will emphasize the role of female scientists who use their work to better society in sustainable ways and act as role models for other women working in and pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

This year, the Prize theme will focus on the circular economy in the ASEAN region. The applicants will have to clearly demonstrate not only a strong understanding of the circular economy, but specifically how her research, technology or business model relates to the prize topic of circular economy. They must demonstrate how their work targets one or more of the following goals:

• Make the most efficient use of resources
• Create best available techniques for sustainable production
• Create best environmental management practice
• Promote the activities to end waste, ecolabel/green public procurement/eco design and others

Along with recognition for their achievements, the winners are eligible to receive cash awards of $20,000 (first place) and $5,000 (honourable mention), as well as separate provisions for travel and lodging to attend a pitch competition during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology & Innovation (AMMSTI) and awards ceremony in Singapore on 10 October 2019.