Explained

Gender equality is a core value of the European Union. The European Commission's wider commitment to gender equality in all EU policies includes also promoting gender equality in research and innovation.

Gender equality has been a priority of the European Research Area (ERA) since 2012. Since 2020, the ERA opens to inclusive gender equality, addressing multiple discrimination, the intersection of gender and other grounds of discrimination, and sectoral and geographical inclusiveness.

In the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024, gender equality is addressed through the specific action 'Promoting gender equality and fostering inclusiveness', which entails four interlinked outcome deliverables. These focus on issues such as policy coordination and support for inclusive gender equality plans and policies, combating gender-based violence in the European research and innovation (R&I) system, ensuring gender mainstreaming in research and innovation content, and gender mainstreaming in ERA.

Horizon Europe supports the implementation of this ERA action through a number of provisions. For example, certain categories of research organisations wishing to receive funding are required to have a gender equality plan. The inclusion of a gender dimension in the research and innovation content is now mandatory and evaluated under the excellence criterion, and gender balance is promoted throughout the programme. In addition, Horizon Europe provides funding for projects and activities that promote inclusive gender equality in R&I, including by conducting research on gender and intersectionality, monitoring, developing tools, organising training or coordinating networks and providing advice on gender equality in R&I.

Details of such specific projects and activities can be found on this page.

Resources and tools

EU Award for Gender Equality Champions

Award recognising outstanding results of in the implementation of Gender Equality Plans.

Gender Equality in Academia and Research - GEAR tool

GEAR tool has provided guidance and advice on gender equality work in R&I since 2015. See the updated tool considering the GEP eligibility criterion in Horizon Europe.

Approaches to inclusive gender equality in research and innovation

Report on emerging practices and policies at EU and national levels.

How to set up an inclusive gender equality plan

Offers insights and strategies to integrate diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality into gender equality policies, providing practical guides, toolkits, educational materials, and best practices. Aimed at assisting individuals, organisations, and communities in fostering inclusive gender equality. By Horizon Europe project INSPIRE.

Gendered innovations 2 - How inclusive analysis contributes to research and innovation

Contains definitions of terms and methods relating to sex, gender and intersectional analysis, interdisciplinary case studies displaying how to integrate the gender dimension into various fields of research and innovation, and concrete policy recommendations.

E-learning course: Gender dimension in research and innovation

A comprehensive e-learning course (not only) for Horizon Europe National Contact Points.

The gender equality audit and monitoring survey

An easy-to-use, multi-lingual tool for collecting robust data on gender equality in organisations targeting employees and/or students. By Horizon Europe project INSPIRE.

Counteracting gender-based violence

Template for a zero-tolerance policy on gender-based violence and sexual harassment for research funding organisations. By Horizon Europe project GENDERACTIONplus.

COVID-19 impact on gender equality R&I

This report highlights in particular the pandemic’s gendered impact on academic productivity, early career researchers, and work-life balance. The recommendations are intended for R&I policymakers at national and EU-level, research funding organisations and research performing organisations.