• Aimed at female students in Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, Vocational Education and Training (VET), and University, STEM Talent Girl is an initiative by the ASTI Foundation that was launched in Valencia for the first time last academic year thanks to Valencia City Council.
• Applications for the second edition of this free programme are open until 15 October. Students can apply at www.talent-girl.com.

Last academic year, Valencia City Council, through València Innovation Capital, launched the first physical hub in the city for STEM Talent Girl, the ASTI Foundation’s national programme promoting scientific and technological vocations among girls and young women. It is a high-impact national initiative that aims to help reduce the gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), where women continue to be underrepresented due to persistent gender stereotypes that still influence career choices.

The programme is free of charge, runs over eight months outside school hours, and is open to female students in the Valencia region who are enrolled in Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, Vocational Education and Training (VET), or university studies. It is designed to accompany participants throughout their educational journey, although students may join at any stage.

“Our commitment to female talent is comprehensive and transversal,” said Paula Llobet, Councillor for Innovation, Tourism and Investment Attraction. “Through València Innovation Capital, we promote real equality of opportunities for girls and women in science and technology. That is why we support programmes such as STEM Talent Girl and Technovation Girls CV, both designed to encourage young women to pursue careers in technology and science, where they have just as much potential as their male peers.”

Over its ten years of activity, the programme has trained more than 8,000 female students across Spain. It is aimed at students in Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, VET and university, offering age-appropriate activities over an eight-month period that are fully compatible with the academic calendar.

A programme tailored to every stage

STEM Talent Girl is structured into three programmes adapted to the participants’ age and educational needs:

• STEM for Her, aimed at Secondary Education students, helps girls discover their talents, overcome gender stereotypes and explore STEM pathways with strong career prospects.
• Mentor Women, designed for Baccalaureate students, provides personalised guidance to support academic and career decision-making.
• Real Work, aimed at university students, connects participants with leading companies and helps them prepare for their transition into the labour market.

The programme is supported by a network of more than 500 STEM mentors from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Through inspirational talks, mentoring sessions, hands-on workshops, company visits and research projects, mentors guide participants throughout their learning journey.

Applications are open until 15 October, and places are limited. To apply, students must submit a motivation letter explaining why they want to become a Talent Girl, together with their application through www.talent-girl.com.