Editor’s Note: The application period is over. Semi-finalists will be notified in September.
The Story Exchange, an award-winning nonprofit media platform on a mission to elevate women’s voices, is seeking submissions for its 4th annual Women In Science Incentive Prize.
The cash prize will support U.S.-based women working to find innovative, science-based solutions as climate change increasingly exacerbates the intensity, frequency and duration of extreme events. (Previous prizes focused on women working exclusively in water, air or soil.) A total of 5 recipients will be awarded $5,000 each and potential media coverage via The Story Exchange, which produces videos, articles and podcasts for entrepreneurial women. Finalists will be selected by a panel of judges following a rigorous scientific review and based on an assessment by The Story Exchange editors.
“Women scientists are on the forefront of climate action,” said Sue Williams, executive director of The Story Exchange. “Their research is informing climate resilience and climate policy. Yet they still face barriers to professional advancement. Our annual prize aims to support and recognize these remarkable women.”
As the planet warms faster than any time in recorded history, the frequency and intensity of extreme events–storms, wildfires, floods, droughts and heat waves–has been rapidly rising. The National Science Foundation, among others, has issued a call for better understanding of accelerated climate change that can result in natural disasters and ”exact a heavy toll on natural and human systems.”
Eligible candidates for the Women In Science Incentive Prize will be scientists with advanced degrees in the fields of physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, agronomy, environmental science, meteorology or closely related fields; or entrepreneurs with advanced degrees who are creating science-based products and technologies to help mitigate/reduce the impact of climate change through innovative practices focused on extreme events.
Successful applicants will be addressing extreme events through the use or development of one or more of the following:
- Advanced sensor monitoring and modeling techniques to improve prediction of extreme events and/or increase community resilience to natural climate-induced disasters (for example, satellite imaging technology).
- Computational tools to improve understanding of extreme event drivers and spatial occurrence as well as the way we make decisions about natural resources and the built environment.
- Effective land management practices that reduce wildfire risk, including controlled burns and fuel management.
- Ecological restoration practices for post-wildfire landscapes to promote biodiversity and ecosystem health.
- Urban extreme heat mitigation strategies including development and use of novel materials, community planning/”green” design, personal comfort devices for infants and elderly, etc.
- In the area of food systems, climate-resilient and soil-focused land management practices that increase resistance to drought and extreme temperatures, and reduce erosion (for example, climate-smart agriculture, regenerative farming and crop genetics).
- Awareness or education campaigns that would improve the public’s understanding of climate change and extreme event probability in their own community, and how to increase climate resilience
Application Process
The Story Exchange is requesting preliminary applications in advance of full applications to increase the overall quality of submissions and assist staff and judges in managing the scientific review process. A subset of applicants will be invited to submit full applications. Winners will be announced in early December.
The following is the timetable and list of requirements:
July 31, 2024: Preliminary applications are due. Applicants must provide a CV and statement (maximum 800 words) describing their work and professional goals, including impact; and intended use of funds. Applicants must also provide a statement (maximum 500 words) about their personal story, including their biggest personal/professional challenges. Admission form is here. The Story Exchange is committed to including diverse voices and perspectives and welcomes applications from the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Sept. 3-5, 2024: Semi-finalists will be invited to submit a full application.
Oct. 7, 2024: Full applications are due. Applicants must provide a statement (maximum 1,500 words) describing scientific objectives and environmental impact of their research or startup; feasibility of the methods to address extreme events; and a clear and succinct description of scientific evidence supporting the proposed research or business. Candidates must also submit a letter of recommendation from an external person familiar with their work and qualifications.
December 4, 2024: Winners will be announced.
“When we launched the Women In Science Incentive Prize in 2021, we had no idea how much we’d be impressed and inspired by courageous women scientists who are full-on addressing the climate crisis,” said Victoria Wang, co-founder of The Story Exchange. “At a time when many are choosing to take no action, we are thrilled to be investing in women scientists who have extraordinary visions for the future.”
The Story Exchange, an independent 501(c)(3) newsroom founded in 2011, has won recognition for its editorial projects from the Newswomen Club of New York, the Society of Advancing Business Editing and Writing, and the Gerald Loeb Awards, among others.