Sony and Nature Launch Award to Support Women in Technology

Sony Group Corporation and Nature have introduced the “Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature” to support early to mid-career women researchers in technology fields, aiming to address the underrepresentation of women in technology roles. The award aims to highlight the contributions of women to science, engineering, and mathematics and to foster diversity and innovation in these sectors.

Key Highlights:

• Launch Date: The award was announced on March 6, 2024, with applications open until May 31, 2024.
• Award Details: Three winners will each receive $250,000 to advance their research, alongside the opportunity to feature their work on nature.com.
• Eligibility: Open to those who identify as women in the early to mid-career stages in technology, science, and engineering fields, including trans women, genderqueer, and non-binary individuals.
• Judging Criteria: Applications will be assessed based on ambition, innovation, conceptual excellence, impact, and social significance.
• Global Reach: The initiative aims to support researchers worldwide, addressing the global challenge of gender disparity in technology.

Sony Group Corporation and Nature have teamed up to create a new opportunity for women researchers in technology through the “Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature.” This initiative seeks to spotlight and support the contributions of women in the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics, acknowledging the critical role of diversity and innovation in driving societal and environmental progress. With women representing a minority in technology positions globally, this award aims to recognize and enhance the work of women researchers who are making significant impacts in their fields.

The program is designed to identify and assist women at pivotal stages of their careers, offering financial support and a platform for their research. Hiroaki Kitano, Senior Executive Vice President and CTO of Sony Group Corporation, emphasized the importance of diversity in achieving creativity and innovation in technology. Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of Nature, highlighted the need for increased representation of women in technology and research to foster a more innovative and inclusive sector.

Applications for the award will be accepted through May 31, 2024. A panel comprising independent experts and leading figures from the technology and science communities, including Nature’s Editor-in-Chief and Sony’s CTO, will evaluate submissions. The selection process will focus on the ambition, innovation, conceptual excellence, and societal impact of the research work.

Eligibility for the award is broad, encompassing researchers who identify as women, including trans women, genderqueer, and non-binary individuals, from a wide range of technological and scientific disciplines. Candidates from universities, research institutes, and university spin-out companies are encouraged to apply, with no requirement for a PhD. The award targets early to mid-career researchers, aiming to support individuals who are less than 25 years from their undergraduate degree, including at least one recipient in the early career stage, less than 15 years from their undergraduate degree.

For more information and to apply for the “Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature,” interested parties can visit the official website.