Investigating and addressing career barriers faced by underrepresented and marginalised researchers

The main goal of this opportunity is to promote gender equality and inclusiveness within the European Research Area. It aims to identify and address barriers faced by researchers from at least three underrepresented and marginalized groups at various stages of their careers, with a particular focus on gender and other types of discrimination. The opportunity focuses on tackling structural, material, and cultural inequalities, and encourages the development of tools and recommendations for more inclusive research environments. Projects should also implement practical interventions, such as mentorship programs, diversity training, and reforms that support fair career advancement. The geographic scope includes at least 10 Member States and Associated Countries of the European Union, with potential participation from some non-EU countries under certain conditions.

• Research projects investigating intersectional barriers faced by at least three underrepresented groups across EU/Associated Countries.
• Development of inclusive tools and policy recommendations to support fair and intersectional research careers.
• Design and implementation of interventions such as mentorship programmes, training modules, and structural reforms in R&I institutions.
• Projects involving active participation of researchers from marginalised groups and community support networks.
• Dissemination-focused actions targeting ERA stakeholders to promote inclusive, intersectional gender equality policies and practices.

Examples:

• A project studying career obstacles faced by women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities in research institutions across 12 EU countries.
• An initiative developing mentorship and training programs for LGBTQ+, migrant, and low-income researchers in multiple European countries.
• A collaborative study implementing policy recommendations to improve inclusiveness for researchers from rural backgrounds, older researchers, and those with caregiving responsibilities.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 2,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1
• Budget per grant: 2,000,000€

• Applicants must be based in eligible countries, including at least 10 EU Member States and Associated Countries; select non-EU countries may also qualify.
• Projects should address barriers faced by at least three underrepresented and marginalized groups in research.
• Applicants must follow the specific topic requirements as outlined in the program guidance.
• Proposals need to comply with application formatting and submission rules.
• Applicants must meet all legal and financial requirements set by the program.
• Eligibility may depend on forming networks or partnerships across the required countries.