UL Research Institutes' ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women 2025

(Jakarta, Indonesia) Reflecting on a decade of impact, the annual UL Research Institutes’-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women celebrates the significance of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across the ASEAN region. This year’s Prize is launched in partnership between UL Research Institutes (ULRI), UL Standards & Engagements (ULSE), the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with support from Google. The Prize continues to highlight its ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and promoting scientific excellence in the ASEAN region. 

2025 Theme: Generative AI for Smart Water Management 

This year’s theme, “Generative AI for Smart Water Management,” emphasizes the transformative potential of Generative AI in addressing pressing water-related challenges. This theme focuses on groundbreaking research that harnesses Generative AI to deliver smarter, more sustainable, and resilient water management systems. Applications are welcomed across various sectors, including urban development, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction. 

Competition Categories and Prizes 

Eligible candidates will compete in two categories based on their stage of career: 

Finalists will be invited to participate in a final judging session and attend the official award ceremony, which will be held during the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) meetings in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2025. 

Winners will be awarded $12,500 each, with runner-ups awarded $5,000 each, thanks to the generous sponsorship of the UL Research Institutes (ULRI). 

ASEAN COSTI Chair emphasizes the value of this initiative in strengthening regional resilience: “This year’s theme, Generative AI for Smart Water Management, could not be more timely. Across ASEAN, the impacts of climate change and water scarcity are growing concerns. The work of women scientists in leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI is essential to shaping more inclusive, sustainable, and date-driven solutions. COSTI is proud to continue this initiative of championing scientific excellence and gender equity in ASEAN.” 

Interim President and CEO of USABC, Amb. (ret) Brian McFeeters, highlights the inaugural opportunity of USABC to contribute to this year’s Science Prize: “We are proud to support the 2025 Science Prize for Women, an initiative pivotal for recognizing the excellence of women researchers in STEM across ASEAN. We are incredibly honored to showcase the contribution of ASEAN women researchers in solving regional challenges through cutting-edge research in environmental governance, artificial intelligence (AI), and an innovation-led ASEAN. The Council would also like to thank Google for their valuable support for this year’s Prize.” 

Google’s support for this year’s Prize further highlights the significance of innovation in tackling ASEAN’s most pressing challenges. Their commitment to the inclusive development of AI particularly aligns with the Prize’s focus on prompting science-based solutions and empowering women researchers to lead in the region’s digital and environmental transformation. 

In their remarks, ULRI noted that, “The health of our environment is inseparable from the safety of our communities,” said Chris Cramer, Chief Research Officer for UL Research Institutes. “This year’s Science Prize spotlights innovative research in generative AI for smart water management—empowering us to better predict and mitigate environmental risks, preserve vital ecosystems, protect water quality, and foster a more resilient planet for all.” 

Call for Applications 

We invite women scientists from all ten ASEAN member states who hold doctoral degrees relevant to this year’s theme to apply. This is a unique opportunity for ASEAN women researchers to showcase their impactful research and innovations in utilizing Generative AI for the purpose of smart water management. 

For more information, please visit the ULRI’s ASEAN-U.S Science Prize for Women website here. 

Applications will close by 20 August 2025. 

Queries can be directed to scienceprize4women@gmail.com.