WIA-Europe invites applications for the €5000 ESA x Mattel Bursary to be awarded for next generation outreach projects fostering interest and motivation to take up STEM careers.
Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-E) is devoted to expanding women’s opportunities in STEM careers within the aerospace sector. Supported by major players of the European aerospace industry as a reference organisation for gender diversity and inclusive representation, WIA-E offers a great variety of activities that strive to encourage upcoming talent and to support projects dedicated to growing a gender-balanced aerospace community.
In line with the World Space Week theme, which this year celebrates Women in Space, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the leading global toy company Mattel have decided to donate part of the proceeds of the new Barbie doll inspired by ESA Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti to Women in Aerospace Europe.
“ESA’s leadership in space development and exploration is shaped by the diversity of its people. Its staff come from twenty-two different countries, with over a dozen languages between them.” states Emmet Fletcher, Head of the Branding and Partnership Office at ESA “For this reason, the partnership between ESA and Mattel was initiated in order to foster this diversity and inspire girls and women to take up careers in the aerospace sector. With the invaluable support of Women in Aerospace Europe we are very pleased that this partnership has yet another channel through which we can reach this goal.” The award, which amounts to €5000, will be dedicated to a project inspiring young generations to discover the exciting possibilities of the space sector.
We are delighted to invite project submissions for the WIA-Europe Outreach Award: ESA x Barbie Bursary, which will be given to an individual conducting an outreach project aimed to inspire younger generations of girls and women to pursue a career in STEM. Academic and nonacademic outreach projects are eligible for submission, provided they will be conducted in Europe and can be completed within 12 months.
“Supporting female role models in this field, like Samantha Cristoforetti, who will serve as ISS Commander in 2022, will continue to inspire young generations to look past perceived gender roles and stereotypes into a future with a gender-balanced representation”, says Luisella Giulicchi, System Manager in the Copernicus Programme at ESA and President of WIA-Europe.
Along with the bursary, the winner will receive a free membership with Women in Aerospace – Europe.
Submission deadline is 1 December 2021.
For further questions, please email info@wia-europe.org.
Check out the global media coverage of the ESA x Barbie Bursary by The Independent, BBC, ESA, Marie Claire, Evening Standard, Reuters, and more…!
