This edition celebrates 35 female PhD and postdoctoral researchers, whose research addresses the major scientific challenges of the future and who are committed to passing on their passion to future generations of female researchers.
Hailing from all regions of mainland France and its overseas territories, and representing a wide range of disciplines, these 35 young scientists were selected from nearly 820 candidates by a jury comprising more than 50 members of the Academy of Sciences – a body renowned for excellence in scientific evaluation and chaired by Françoise Combes, President of the Academy of Sciences and astrophysicist at the Paris Observatory – PSL.
These young women were chosen for the excellence of their applications, the originality of their scientific projects and their desire to pass on their passion to younger generations.
Irène Urso, a PhD student at LIRA, part of the Paris Observatory – PSL, is one of them. She is currently working on a thesis in which she models how light is bent by the gravity of black holes, and will defend her thesis on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
In addition to a research grant of €15,000 for PhD students and €20,000 for postdoctoral researchers, each winner will benefit from a training programme designed to complement their professional development, equipping them with the tools to break through the glass ceiling.
