IMCD Brasil Helps Female Students Pursue a Future in Science

Did you know, that out of the 6.9 million scientists in the world, only 33% are women? Furthermore, Brazil ranks 94 in the 2022 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, indicating the country’s gender inequality in the labor market. 

Addressing the disparity of women in science and in the workforce, IMCD Brasil developed a partnership with Futuras Cientistas (translated Future Female Scientists), as part of the IMCD Cares Fund. This corporate social responsibility (CSR) program finances initiatives that help improve the communities where IMCD operates. This new IMCD Cares initiative by IMCD Brasil fosters the educational development of girls attending their third year of public high school in São Paulo, Brazil, to help them realize a future as scientists or entrepreneurs.

Creating STEM Access to Students

In São Paulo, IMCD Brasil operates five application laboratories serving product manufacturers in the industries of personal care and home care, food and nutrition, coatings, construction and pigments. IMCD employees developed a month-long scientific immersion program in January 2023 that enlisted IMCD chemists and scientists to volunteer 32 hours, providing laboratory experience for the eight students (out of 470 applicants) who earned the opportunity to participate in Futuras Cientistas.

In addition to the scientific immersion phase, once students complete their college entrance exam preparations, IMCD will also contribute to mentorship opportunities that include the students’ participation in tradeshows, workshops and professional events to help guide them in choosing their university courses.

“It is truly rewarding to develop opportunities for these students to flourish in experiences that may possibly change their lives,” said Nicolas Kaufmann, Americas president, IMCD.

“My wish is that the success of this program will not only nurture their passion for science but inspire them to expand their horizons and use their experiences to create a better world and improve the lives of many others.” 

In Futuras Cientistas’ 12-year history, IMCD is the first corporate organization to sponsor the program, creating unique scientific experiences for underserved female students in Brazil.

Enabling a Future in Science

IMCD Brasil’s final contribution to support the girls in chasing a future in science is awarding an IMCD Cares Scholarship of 153,000 reais (approximately €27,000) to three of the top students of the program. The scholarship will fund the students’ four-year university degree to complete courses in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). The IMCD Cares Scholarship, mentorship and scientific immersion provide STEM education for girls who would otherwise not be able to attend university. 

To celebrate the completion of the scientific immersion phase of the programme, IMCD Brasil hosted a white coat ceremony attended by their families, IMCD employees, partners, customers and dignitaries, to signify a rite of passage in their journey toward a career in science despite overcoming barriers.  

“This initiative has merged the worlds of academia, industry and government to collaborate in fostering economic and social development. This triple helix model of innovation is an important contribution to Brazil’s progress in addressing women’s access to science,” Kaufmann concluded.