Gender Consulting for Research Networks
Advice on gender equality measures in DFG research networks
Research networks can apply to the DFG for additional funding for equal opportunity measures in the module Standard Allowance for Equity and Diversity. For collaborative research centers, this amounts to €30,000 per year, and for other joint projects, such as research training groups, €15,000 per year. These measures are intended to serve the following objectives:
- to promote equality between male and female scientists,
- to promote diversity in science, and
- to make the workplace “science” more family-friendly (including care).
DFG E-Learning: Unconscious Bias
German: www.dfg.de/bias/e-learning
English: www.dfg.de/bias/e-learning/en
The Office for Gender and Diversity advises and supports collaborative projects in the preparation and design of the equal opportunities module, right through to its implementation. It ensures that the measures are directly linked to FAU’s equality and diversity concept, that the organizational implementation is planned appropriately, and that quality assurance is carried out.
Hints and tips for submitting proposals and for networking
The University is responsible for finalizing and implementing the research-oriented equality standards agreed with the DFG in March 2009. In close collaboration with the faculties and the women’s representatives, the Executive Board ensures that gender equality continues to be promoted at the University. The DFG provides examples as ideas for implementing the standards in practice in the form of a toolbox.
The DFG is also very interested in actively promoting equality and diversity at German universities and supporting family-friendly policies. Equal opportunities in science regardless of gender, origin, age, or health status, as well as the compatibility of scientific careers and family life, are important factors for excellent science and successful promotion of young researchers. A common thread runs through the equality measures in the respective funding lines, with a threefold objective:
- Equality between male and female researchers
- Promotion of diversity in science
- Family-friendly design of the workplace “science” (including care)
The DFG emphasizes the need to improve career opportunities for women in the scientific system and diversity structurally, in addition to increasing the compatibility of family and scientific careers. The DFG’s support for equal opportunity measures in the respective funding procedures is correspondingly broad. The program portfolio ranges from special funding opportunities for young scientists to the financing of gender equality measures. The DFG has various equal opportunities measures in place for the respective funding procedures at different stages: From the application stage to project implementation, funding can be applied for on a differentiated basis according to individual funding and coordinated procedures – for example, collaborative research centers and research training groups, clusters of excellence, priority programs, (clinical) research groups.
An essential element in promoting equality and diversity is reflecting on unconscious bias.
The DFG offers an e-learning course on this topic, which can be accessed via the following links:
German: www.dfg.de/bias/e-learning
English: www.dfg.de/bias/e-learning/en
The FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg Research Networks for the Promotion of Equality (F³G) has been founded in 2012 with the participation of eight DFG joint projects as well as the Family Service of FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg and the University Hospital. The primary goal was to improve networking between the participating institutions and to ensure the appropriate and guideline-compliant use of DFG equality funds in order to improve equal opportunities and the compatibility of science and family life for those involved in the F³G. Further information can be found here.