Analysing gender gaps and biases in the allocation of grants

Topic description

Specific Challenge:

In many countries in Europe and at European level the major part of the research budget is allocated in the form of grants. The allocation of grants and access to funding is consequently an essential component of scientific performance and career progression. She Figures 2015 shows that although the gender gaps in the funding success rates is decreasing at the EU level, men still have a higher success rate than women^[1]. Research is needed to better understand the remaining institutional barriers which contribute to maintaining the gender gaps in research funding, as well as the policy changes required to remove such barriers.

From selected key research and/or innovation fields, the research will situate the role of grants in researchers' careers, identify, map, and analyse the possible differences between women and men researchers at various steps of grant allocation by research funding organisations and their potential consequences on their careers. Factors that create gender biases in the grant awarding processes of research funding organisations will be investigated. The research will give particular attention to the nature and mode of action of hindering and driving factors and investigate their relative weight in the grant awarding processes of research funding organisations. It will suggest how to overcome the hindering factors and arrive at a better level playing field for women and men researchers by adapting the grant systems (institutional change approach). The research will formulate recommendations targeting research funding policy and involve different stakeholders in this process.

A project duration of at least 48 months is recommended.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of the order of EUR 2.00 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Contribute to more gender equal research grant systems in the EU and to advancing gender equality in research and innovation as requested in the European Research Area.^[2] Help EU research and innovation benefit better from male and female scientists' talents and improve the quality of research and innovation and their relevance to society.

Gender
RRI

[1]https://ec.europa.eu/research/swafs/pdf/pub_gender_equality/she_figures_2015-final.pdf

[2]http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/era_communication_en.htm