The SUEZ Foundation and the Institut Pasteur join forces to promote women's access to scientific careers

The SUEZ Foundation’s mission is to strengthen access to essential services in emerging countries and to support a fair and inclusive ecological transition in France. Building on 15 years of commitment, the SUEZ Foundation is proud to enter into this unique partnership with the Institut Pasteur to encourage and support women in scientific fields. Convinced that a diversity of talent is essential for scientific excellence and a more inclusive ecological transition, both institutions are combining their expertise to remove the barriers that still limit women’s access to scientific careers, especially for those from the most vulnerable groups that remain distant from these pathways.

Through the "Women, Science, and Environmental Health" program, the two partners share a common ambition: to enable more young women, particularly those with the least access to scientific opportunities to develop their potential and build their futures in science. This ambition is rooted in a firm conviction: scientific excellence requires providing all talented individuals with the means to emerge, progress, and contribute to major breakthroughs in health and the environment.

Spanning three years, the program is structured around five complementary pillars:

• Fostering an interest in science from a young age through observation internships, pairing participants with female researchers, and offering immersion programs specifically for young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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• Raising awareness of health and environmental issues by conducting science-discovery workshops in collaboration with local stakeholders.
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• Supporting female talent through mentorship, facilitating access to scientific knowledge, training, and future-oriented careers via personalized guidance provided by experts and scientists.
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• Promoting equal opportunity by awarding grants for mobility, equipment, and internships, thereby removing the economic, social, and material barriers that can hinder the academic and professional paths of young women.
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• Developing leadership and recognizing scientific excellence by supporting female scientists at every stage of their careers, offering training to enhance their expertise in cutting-edge techniques and strengthen their leadership skills. 

The partnership also includes the creation of the Institut Pasteur – SUEZ Foundation Prize, which will annually honor exemplary achievements by women, from middle-school students to early-career research group leaders, as well as outstanding scientific work, particularly in the fields of women’s health and environmental health. This initiative will help increase the visibility of women in science, recognize their contributions, and provide younger generations with role models to look up to.

At the heart of this initiative lies a dynamic of passing things on: the women who receive support may, in turn, become role models, mentors, or ambassadors, thereby helping to broaden the horizons of possibility for future generations in a lasting way.

"Science cannot afford to lose out on any talent. Yet, too many young women still hesitate to pursue scientific paths, and too many women encounter obstacles as they advance toward positions of responsibility. We have a collective responsibility to provide them with the means to envision their future, develop their potential, and contribute fully to scientific progress. This requires action at every stage of their journey: sparking an interest in science, facilitating access to opportunities, supporting professional development, and highlighting their achievements. Through the SUEZ Foundation, we aim to help foster a new generation of female scientists and build a more inclusive research landscape, one capable of harnessing the full diversity of talent for the benefit of health and the environment."  Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur