Everything You Need to Apply & Participate

The Science Prize is a partnership between UL Research Institutes (ULRI), UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Prize continues its commitment to strengthening science and technology capacity and promoting gender equality in the ASEAN region through the annual UL Research Institutes-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women 2026. View the official 2026 rules document for the complete programme guidelines. The 2026 Science Prize will celebrate outstanding achievements of ASEAN-national, mid-career, and senior female scientists, recognising their contributions to academic excellence, professional innovation, and societal impact. The Prize highlights the transformative work of female scientists who use their expertise to address real-world challenges sustainably, serving as role models for women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across the ASEAN region.

To participate in this Prize, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• A female professional working in applied science
• A citizen of an ASEAN Member State: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam
• A holder of a PhD or doctoral equivalent. Applicants currently pursuing a PhD or doctoral degree are not eligible
• Mid-career category: Aged 45 or below at the time the application period closes
• Senior Scientist category: Aged 46 or older at the time the application period closes

The 2026 theme is "AI for Advancing Inclusive and Resilient Healthcare in ASEAN". Applicants should demonstrate significant and innovative contributions in this area, focusing on how artificial intelligence can improve healthcare delivery, outcomes, and equity across the ASEAN region. Relevant sub-themes include but are not limited to:

• AI-powered diagnostics and medical imaging
• Personalised medicine and precision health
• Improving healthcare access and health equity through AI
• AI in drug discovery and clinical trials
• Digital health systems, pandemic preparedness, and health policy
• AI-enabled mental health interventions

Applications that clearly connect their work to solving real healthcare challenges in ASEAN will be rated more favourably by the judging panel.

Both winners of the Mid-career category and the Senior category will receive a cash prize of USD 12,500. The honorable mention in each category will also receive a cash prize of USD 5,000. Separate provisions will be made to cover the round-trip flight, meals, and lodging expenses for the two Regional Finalists of each category to attend the pitch competition and award ceremony, held before representatives of ULRI, ULSE, USABC, ASEAN COSTI, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

View Current 2026 Timeline

Evaluation Criteria (100 points total)

Criterion	Sub-criteria	Points
Scientific Excellence 50 points total	Research is clearly relevant to the year's theme, with strong scientific understanding and demonstrated application	20 pts
	Relevant awards or merits; higher scores for well-established recognition	10 pts
	Peer regard — media placements, policy briefs, academic journals, field influence	10 pts
	Clear growth potential and demonstrated passion for advancing work on the year's theme	10 pts
Mentoring Women in STEM 25 points total	Clear involvement in mentoring, supporting, and empowering female students or women in STEM, with specific examples	10 pts
	Demonstrates how her work accounts for gender in the subject area and enables women to be change agents	9 pts
	Membership of or involvement in organisations focused on gender inclusivity in STEM	6 pts
Global Citizen 25 points total	Strong connection between her work and improving the year's theme in ASEAN as a region	10 pts
	Active collaboration with scientists across ASEAN; concrete examples scored higher	9 pts
	Impact on local community, country, and the broader ASEAN region with specific examples	6 pts

By submitting an entry application or accepting a prize, each candidate grants to ULRI, ULSE, USABC, and ASEAN the irrevocable right — without any further notice, review, or consent — to print, publish, broadcast, display, translate, and otherwise use in any media worldwide, for promotional and educational purposes, any information regarding the applicant and her work, including but not limited to:

• Name, likeness, and photograph
• Entry materials, including submitted research summaries and supporting documents
• Video profile submitted during the national finalist stage
• Statements made at the pitch competition or award ceremony

This right is granted in perpetuity without compensation beyond the prize itself.

• For the purposes of this solicitation, the Prize Administrators are UL Research Institutes (ULRI), UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC).
• The Prize Administrators reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to modify, suspend, postpone, or cancel this solicitation; and/or elect not to make an award; and/or to reject any or all applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, or submission requirements set forth in this solicitation.
• Issuance of this solicitation does not constitute a commitment to make an award or to fund any applicant.
• If the applicant fails to comply with the solicitation requirements, instructions, deadlines, or eligibility criteria.
• The Prize Administrators will not reimburse or compensate applicants for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting an application.
• Any decision to modify, suspend, cancel, or terminate the solicitation, or not to make an award, shall be made by the Prize Administrators. Notice of such decisions will be communicated to all applicants through the official Prize communication channels, including the Prize website and/or direct email notifications to applicants.
• Decisions of the Prize Administrators regarding eligibility, evaluation, selection, disqualification, and awards are final and not subject to appeal.