COSMETICS giant L'Oreal will give out three $20,000 fellowships a year to young women scientists here, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) and national science agency A*STAR.

Women researchers like developmental-biology doctoral student Cecilia Lanny Winata, 26, however, say the sum is not big enough to fund a year of research, although it would help supplement existing grants.

'Why would someone apply when they'd have to fill out more paperwork?' said neurobiology doctoral student Lynette Lim, 27.

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