The launch was co-organised by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), together with the US Government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Underwriters Laboratories. 
This year’s competition aims to raise awareness of cutting-edge advancements by women in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research to address pressing issues in ASEAN communities. Candidates working in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) fields will compete in two categories – the mid-career scientist category for scientists aged 45 years and below, and the senior scientist category for those aged 46 and older, over the next several months.
The 2022 theme is AI in Health and Safety, chosen for its importance in delivering better and more affordable health care services to over 660 million inhabitants in ASEAN.
Applicants must be ASEAN citizens and hold a doctoral degree. The deadline for applications is March 18, 2022.
Underwriters Laboratories, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the discovery and application of scientific knowledge, will award 12,500 USD to each of the winners in both categories and 5,000 USD to the runner-up finalists.