Equal opportunities in research funding

General provisions for equal opportunities in funding procedures

The German Research Foundation (DFG) has included several equal opportunity measures in its funding procedures to make allowances for different personal backgrounds and circumstances. Learn moreExternal link

Applying for disadvantage compensation

When assessing an applicant's academic record, the German Research Foundation takes unavoidable delays in academic careers into account. If personal circumstances result in longer qualification periods, publication gaps, less stays abroad, or gaps in their curriculum vitae, applicants may request a compensation for disadvantages when submitting their proposal. The respective circumstances should be included in their proposal, cover letter and CV and — if the circumstance is not self-explanatory — in a brief explanation attached to the proposal. Naturally, any disclosure of this kind is optional and not obligatory. Learn moreExternal link

Applicants with disabilities or chronic illnesses may also receive personal advice from the DFG regarding potential allowances for indidvidual requirements. Learn moreExternal link

If employment of a person with disability involves additional, project-specific costs that cannot be reimbursed through disability employment schemes (available from the Integrationsamt or Inclusion Office), these additional costs may be covered by reallocating funds (please refer to the usage guidelines of the funding programme in question) or, if applicable, through a supplemental proposal. Learn moreExternal link

In order to integrate refugee researchers in research projects, project leaders and higher education institutions can submit supplemental proposals for additional staff positions. Learn moreExternal link

In principle, there is no age limit to apply for DFG funding. However, in funding programmes linked to specific career stages, applicants may be expected to meet certain time frames in their career development. For the Emmy Noether Programme, applicants must have received their doctorate within the last four years. Unavoidable delays in an applicant’s academic career can be disclosed in order to be considered for disadvantage compensation. Learn moreExternal link

The German Research Foundation (DFG) sees diversity in the research system, i.e. the inclusion of the full range of potential, as an important aspect when it comes to promoting quality of research. For this reason, DFG actively cultivates it at the structural level. In doing so, the DFG regards the diversity of researchers and non-discriminatory participation as a resource and an opportunity in the research system, not simply as a way of making up for disadvantages at the individual level. All in all, based on this concept and the measures that follow from it, the DFG seeks to provide impetus for greater diversity and equal opportunity within the German research system.

The proportion of female spokespersons in DFG-funded research networks is currently around 20 per cent. The aim of the budget for female spokespersons is to attract more female spokespersons and at the same time to offer opportunities to relieve the burden of these activities (for example by funding additional staff). Due to the underrepresentation of female academics, these and other activities in academic self-administration often accumulate among them. The prerequisite for applying for the budget is that the head of the network must be of the gender that is underrepresented at management level in their discipline. Female professors are currently underrepresented in all subject areas, meaning that spokespersons of research networks in all disciplines can apply for the budget as part of new or renewal applications for coordinated procedures.

When assessing proposals and academic records, the DFG takes individual circumstances into account. Unavoidable delays in academic careers can be acknowledged if applicants provide evidence of this. 

German Research Foundation — DFG

Standard Allowance for Gender Equality Measures

Coordinated programmes such as the Emmy Noether Programme and individual research grants offer a so-called Standard Allowance for Gender Equality MeasuresExternal link. These funds are earmarked and may only be used for measures that help to promote female early career researchers and reconcile family and academic life. How much funding is available varies for each programme. For more information, please refer to the respective programme brochures.

Equal opportunity concepts in coordinated programmes

Funding applications should include a clear concept for the promotion of equal opportunities. This is in addition to the application for the Standard Allowance for Gender Equality Measures. 

To this end, research proposals should include information on the gender ratios of both the research team and academic status groups at the respective university and department. 

Proposals should also include concrete measures to promote gender equality and the balancing of academic and family life — especially for early career reseachers. These measures should include standard university measures as well as supplementary measures tailored to the individual needs of the researchers involved. 

When choosing between equal project proposals, this information is used as an evaluation criterion Learn moreExternal link.

Horizon Europe — The EU's key funding programme for research and innovation

Similar to Horizon 2020, the gender distribution among responsible project leaders will be a decisive evaluation criterion when it comes to choosing between equally rated proposals.

The cross-sectional ‘Reforming and Enhancing the European Research and Innovation System’ programme will also continue to support gender equality measures to promote (early career) female researchers. Learn moreExternal link

Impulses for measures to promote gender equality and the reconciliation of university and family life

The toolbox INKA from the Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences GESIS presents best-practice examples that promote gender equality and family friendliness. Learn moreExternal link

Where can I find more Information?

The Equal Opportunities Office in the Office of the Vice-President for Early Career Researchers and Diversity Management offers advice on the University's equal opportunities activities and potential measures for the projects you have planned. The Office of the Vice-President for Research will always forward project proposals for funding programmes as part of their consultation service.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) provides coordinated programmes with funds for measures that promote gender equality and allow early career researchers to balance university and family life.

To coordinate the implementation of joint measures that promote gender equality and family-friendliness at work, several research bodies at the University of Jena have joined forces to form the Scientists and Career Jena network. This network is also open to other interested DFG-funded programmes.

Coordination: Ms Dorothee Gößner, Equal Opportunities Office / Wissenschaftler:innen und Karriere (WKJ) — Scientists and Career Jena Network, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Zwätzengasse 3, 07743 Jena, Telephone: +49 3641 9-400970, Email: dorothee.goessner@uni-jena.de

In accordance with the DFG Senate's statement of April 2020, the German Research Foundation highlights the importance of reflecting on aspects of sex, gender and diversity in planning and implementing research projects. Considering these aspects in developing research questions is part of good scientific practice and included in the DFG 'Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice' of 2019. 

Using a checklist, applicants can examine whether sex, gender and/or diversity dimensions are relevant to their research project. If the answer is no, they do not need to be included in the proposals. The relevance of sex, gender and/or diversity in research projects is also part of the DFG's Proposal Preparation Instructions. 

Information material of the German Research Foundation

• Statement of the Senate of the DFG of 23 April 2020: Sex, Gender and Diversity. Importance to Research Projects.External link
• Relevance of Sex, Gender and Diversity in Research—Checklist for Applicants on Planning Research ProjectsExternal link
• DFG Proposal Preparation InstructionsExternal link

When reviewing applications for the EU Framework Programme HORIZON EUROPE (2021–2027), the inclusion of gender and diversity aspects in research projects is a decisive factor. Learn moreExternal link

Impulses for including gender and diversity aspects in research proposals

BMBF research funding for projects with a focus on making womens' achievements in science, research and innovation more visible (‘Frauen in Wissenschaft, Forschung und Innovation: Leistungen und Potenziale sichtbar machen, Sichtbarkeit strukturell verankern’, short: ‘Innovative Frauen im Fokus’ — ‘Innovative Women in the Spotlight’)

Call for proposals: 9 October 2020. Submission deadlines: 31 December 2020, 30 November 2021 and 31 October 2023

Excerpt from their funding guidelines: ‘Funding is provided for research projects and measures that strenghten women in science, research and innovation by increasing their visibility as high achievers and/or raise their profile as role models, increase the representation of women, investigate the underlying mechanisms and support the implementation of relevant research results [...]. In particular, dialogue between science and practice as well as innovative presentation methods and formats using information technology are to be used to acknowledge the achievements and successes of woman and structurally anchor measures to increase their visibility and representation [...]

In the framework of these funding guidelines, the BMBF also promotes professional exchange, networking, and knowledge transfer in approved projects. To this end, a meta-project will be established that supports funded projects in implementing publicity measures, pooling measures and providing networking opportunities.’

More informaton is available at: https://www.bmbf.de/foerderungen/bekanntmachung-3223.htmlExternal link (German).

EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation — Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

This programme promotes research projects that include dimensions of equality and diversity.

• Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness with funding in the area of Social Challenges, including the cluster 'Culture, Creavity and Inclusive Society'
• Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area with measures to strenghten gender equality and European cooperation in science and technology (COST). 

For further information and advice, you can contact the Service Centre for Research and Transfer at the University of Jena:

Service Centre for Research and Transfer

In August 2020, the German Research Foundation adopted equal opportunities measures to support researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) supports researchers who have fled their home countries by making it easier for them to join research projects and apply for funding under the Walter Benjamin Programme.