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GRant AllocatioN Disparities from a gender perspective (GRANteD)

Start of the project: 2019-Jan-01 - End of the project: 2023-Oct-31

Gender disparities in the allocation of research funding have been on the scientific and science policy agenda for many years. The influential study by Wenners and Wold (1997) showed that female applicants have to be 2.5 times more productive than men before their research proposal is evaluated in the same way as their male colleagues.

Although several studies have been conducted in the last years, it is still questionable if and to what extent gender bias exists in grant allocation. This is mainly due to the contradictory results. Some studies conclude that there are no significant gender differences in research funding. Other studies claim that male applicants are preferred over women, and still others see a preference for women, especially in those disciplines where women are underrepresented. The contradictory results are related to different methodological approaches, different empirical data, and the consideration of different aspects of the application process. As competitive research funding plays an increasingly important role in scientific careers, the question also arises as to what extent a potential gender bias in research funding influences the career opportunities of women and men.

The project uses a mixed-methods approach (interviews, document analyses, online surveys and bibliometrics) to examine the complexity of the research subject and to compare international research funders and their grant selection processes. The project also examines the gender-specific effects of funding decisions on further academic careers.

The DZHW is part of a consortium comprises institutions from five different European countries:

  • JOANNEUM RESEARCH, POLICIES – Institute of Economic and Innovation Research / Research group for Technology, Innovation and Policy Consulting (Coordinator, Austria),
  • Orebro University - School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (Sweden),
  • CSIC - Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas – Institute of Public Goods and Policies (Spain),
  • Teresa Mom Consultancy BV (Netherlands),
  • German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW) (Germany).

The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 824574.

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Publications

Gender bias in grant allocation shows a decline over time.

van den Besselaar, P., Möller, T., Mom, C., Cruz-Castro, L., & Cruz-Castro, L. (2024).
Gender bias in grant allocation shows a decline over time. In STI 2024 (Hrsg.), Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI2024). Berlin: STI2024. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14176637

Funding decision and applicants' careers. A case study of an early career grant.

Möller, T. (2024).
Funding decision and applicants' careers. A case study of an early career grant. In STI2024 (Hrsg.), Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI2024). Berlin: STI2024. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14171970

What to do against gender bias in grant allocation?

van den Besselaar, P., Mom, C., Cruz-Castro, L., Sanz Menéndez, L., Möller, T., ... & Husu, L. (2023).
What to do against gender bias in grant allocation? Amsterdam: TMC.
Abstract

This text summarized the recommendations that can be distilled from the research done in the GRANteD project, and from the interactions with the Stakeholder Committee, the Scientific Advisory Board, and at other exchanges with researchers in the field and with stakeholders in different interactions.

Synthesis report on gender differences in grant application behaviour.

Möller, T., Holzinger, F., Schön, L., Wedening, P., & Deixelberger, B. (2023).
Synthesis report on gender differences in grant application behaviour. Berlin: DZHW.
Abstract

This deliverable provides a summary of the findings of Work Package 7 of the GRANteD project. The results are based on seven online surveys carried out among researchers in six European countries. In Austria, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden, applicants to specific research funding programs were surveyed. In Germany, a representative survey was conducted among academics as potential applicants at universities (DZHW Scientist Survey). In addition, the data of doctoral graduates of the DZHW PhD panel were analyzed. The overall findings indicates that there are hardly any gender differences in application behavior of academics.

Gender differences in grant application behaviour.

Möller, T., Holzinger, F., & Schön, L. (2023).
Gender differences in grant application behaviour. Berlin, Wien: DZHW / JR (nicht zur Veröffentlichung vorgesehen).

Gender and grants: lessons from nine cases in six European countries.

Möller, T., & van den Besselaar, P. (2023).
Gender and grants: lessons from nine cases in six European countries. Berlin, Amsterdam: DZHW / TMC (nicht zur Veröffentlichung vorgesehen).

Identifying and explaining gender differences in grant decision outcomes: The results of the case studies.

Möller, T., van den Besselaar, P., Cruz-Castro, L., Sanz Menéndez, L., Sandström, U., & Mom, C. (2023).
Identifying and explaining gender differences in grant decision outcomes: The results of the case studies. Berlin, Amsterdam: DZHW / TMC (nicht zur Veröffentlichung vorgesehen).

Are there gender differences in the number of research proposals submitted?

Möller, T. (8. August 2023).
Are there gender differences in the number of research proposals submitted [Blogbeitrag]. Abgerufen von https://www.granted-project.eu/blogpost-9-are-there-gender-differences-in-the-number-of-research-proposals-submitted/

Determinants of cognitive mobility.

Mom, C., Möller, T., & van den Besselaar, P. (2023).
Determinants of cognitive mobility. In ISSI (Hrsg.), Proceedings of ISSI 2023 - the 19th International Conference of the International Society of Scientometrics and Informetrics (ISSI 2023). Bloomington, United States: International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics.

Do female academics submit fewer grant applications than men?

Möller, T. (2023).
Do female academics submit fewer grant applications than men? 27th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI 2023). https://doi.org/10.55835/644303d4b2b5580ba561581a (Abgerufen am: 21.04.2023). https://doi.org/10.55835/644303d4b2b5580ba561581a
Abstract

The state of the research on grant application behaviour is that female academics submit fewer proposals than men. This study points out that it is methodologically challenging to draw this conclusion. We know a lot about applicants, but little about the pool of potential applicants as the underlying population. We use a random sample of academics as potential applicants to investigate the grant application activity of male and female researchers. The results show that when an appropriate benchmark is applied (in this case, controlling for academic status and research area), no significant gender differences in grant applications can be found.

Two Longitudinal Papers Concerning Gender Disparities in Science Careers.

Sandström, U., Sandström, E., Mom, C., van den Besselaar, P., & Möller, T. (2022).
Two Longitudinal Papers Concerning Gender Disparities in Science Careers. Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin: Forskningspolitik Sverige AB, TMC BV, DZHW (nicht zur Veröffentlichung vorgesehen).

What is researcher independence and how can it be measured?

Möller, T., van den Besselaar, P., & Mom, C. (2022).
What is researcher independence and how can it be measured? 26th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI 2022), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6975311

Factors influencing the academic career – an event history analysis.

Mom, C., van den Besselaar, P., & Möller, T. (2022).
Factors influencing the academic career – an event history analysis. Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Science and Technology Indicator (STI 2022), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6975565

Researcher independence and funding decisions.

Möller, T. (2021).
Researcher independence and funding decisions. In van den Besselaar, P. et al. (Hrsg.), Conceptualizing, measuring, and developing indicators. (S. 110-121). Amsterdam: Teresa Mom consultancy bv.

Conceptualizing, measuring, and developing indicators.

van den Besselaar, P., Mom, C., Cruz-Castro, L., Sanz Menendez, L., & Möller, T. (2021).
Conceptualizing, measuring, and developing indicators. Amsterdam: Teresa Mom consultancy bv.

Identifying gender bias and its causes and effects.

van den Besselaar, P., Mom, C., Cruz-Castro, L., Sanz-Menéndez, L., Möller, T., ... & Husu, L. (2020).
Identifying gender bias and its causes and effects. Amsterdam: TMC.
Abstract

Grant selection and decision-making generally take place in panels. Therefore, the main focus of the project is to measure the level of gender bias at the panel level, and to explain the differences in gender bias using characteristics of the panels and of the (organizational) context of the panels. A second source of gender bias addressed in the project is the application process. The project also investigates the factors influencing the decision to apply for research grants, and the possible gender differences emerging from that. Finally, the question is addressed whether possible bias in grant allocation translates into gender bias in the subsequent academic career.

Presentations

Gender bias in grant allocation shows a decline over time.

van den Besselaar, P., Möller, T., Mom, C., Cruz-Castro, L., & Sanz-Menendez, L. (2025, Mai).
Gender bias in grant allocation shows a decline over time. Vortrag auf der Konferenz Atlanta Conference on Science and Innovation Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA.

Determinants of cognitive mobility.

Mom, C., Möller, T., & van den Besselaar, P. (2024, Oktober).
Determinants of cognitive mobility. Vortrag auf dem Symposium Scholarly Migration and Mobility Symposium, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock.

Gender bias in grant allocation shows a decline over time.

van den Besselaar, P., Möller, T., Mom, C., Cruz-Castro, L., & Sanz Menéndez, L. (2024, September).
Gender bias in grant allocation shows a decline over time. Vortrag auf der Konferenz 28th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators 2024 (STI), Berlin.

Funding decision and applicants' careers. A case study of an early career grant.

Möller, T. (2024, September).
Funding decision and applicants' careers. A case study of an early career grant. Vortrag auf der Konferenz 28th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators 2024 (STI), Berlin.

Are There Differences in Grant Application Activity Between Female and Male Academics?

Möller, T. (2024, September).
Are There Differences in Grant Application Activity Between Female and Male Academics? Vortrag auf der Konferenz CHER 36th Annual Conference "Higher Education and Science Future(s): Trends, Imaginaries, and Alternatives", Consortium of Higher Education Researchers (CHER), Luxembourg.

A tale of two paths: Gender-based academic trajectories.

van den Besselaar, P., Mom, C., & Möller, T. (2023, Oktober).
A tale of two paths: Gender-based academic trajectories. Vortrag auf der Konferenz Analysing gender bias in research funding. 2nd GRANteD Stakeholder Conference, Wien, Österreich.

Is there a gender gap in the submission of research proposals?

Möller, T. (2023, Oktober).
Is there a gender gap in the submission of research proposals? Vortrag auf der Konferenz Analysing gender bias in research funding. 2nd GRANteD Stakeholder Conference, Wien, Österreich.

Where is the gender bias in grant allocation? Empirical findings, conclusions and further lessons.

van den Besselaar, P., Mom, C., & Möller, T. (2023, Oktober).
Where is the gender bias in grant allocation? Empirical findings, conclusions and further lessons. Vortrag im Rahmen des Meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Granted Project., Wien, Österreich.

Findings and lessons from the project GRant AllocatioN Disparities from a gender perspective (GRANteD).

van den Besselaar, P., Mom, C., & Möller, T. (2023, Oktober).
Findings and lessons from the project GRant AllocatioN Disparities from a gender perspective (GRANteD). Vortrag auf dem Workshop Stakeholder-Commitee on Research Funding, Wien, Österreich.

Stellen Frauen weniger Forschungsanträge als Männer?

Möller, T. (2023, September).
Stellen Frauen weniger Forschungsanträge als Männer? Vortrag auf der Konferenz Vielfalt und Chancengerechtigkeit in Studium und Wissenschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), Berlin.

Determinants of cognitive mobility.

Mom, C., Möller, T., & van den Besselaar, P. (2023, Juli).
Determinants of cognitive mobility. Vortrag auf der Konferenz International Society of Scientometrics and Informetrics (ISSI 2023), Bloomington, USA.

Geschlechterunterschiede im Antragsverhalten.

Möller, T. (2023, Juni).
Geschlechterunterschiede im Antragsverhalten. Vortrag im Rahmen der Sitzung des Nutzerbeirats des DZHW, Hannover.

Are there gender differences in application behavior for research funding?

Möller, T. (2023, Januar).
Are there gender differences in application behavior for research funding? Vortrag auf dem Workshop Stakeholder-Commitee on Research Funding.

Cognitive distance as predictor of cognitive mobility.

van den Besselaar, P., Möller, T., & Mom, C. (2022, November).
Cognitive distance as predictor of cognitive mobility. Vortrag auf dem Workshop Cognitive mobility in the sciences: social, technological and cultural dynamics, DZHW, Berlin.

Funding Acknowledgements – the Funding Background of Publications.

Möller, T. (2022, September).
Funding Acknowledgements – the Funding Background of Publications. Vortrag im Rahmen der European Summer School for Scientometrics (esss 2022), Berlin, Germany.

Factors influencing the academic career – an event history analysis.

Mom, C., van den Besselaar, P., & Möller, T. (2022, September).
Factors influencing the academic career – an event history analysis. Vortrag auf der Konferenz Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI 2022), Granada, Spain.

What is researcher independence and how can it be measured?

Möller, T., van den Besselaar, P., & Mom, C. (2022, September).
What is researcher independence and how can it be measured? Vortrag auf der Konferenz Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI 2022), Granada, Spain.

Researcher independence. Conceptualization, measurement, and implications for research funding.

Möller, T. (2022, Juni).
Researcher independence. Conceptualization, measurement, and implications for research funding. Vortrag im Kolloquium des International Center for Higher Education Research, INCHER, Kassel.

Factors influencing academic careers. Does grant success affect the academic career and does this work differently for women compared to men?

van den Besselaar, P., Mom, C., & Möller, T. (2022, Juni).
Factors influencing academic careers. Does grant success affect the academic career and does this work differently for women compared to men? Vortrag im Forschungskolloquium, DZHW, Berlin.

Does Researcher Independence Have an Impact on Funding Decisions?

Möller, T. (2021, Oktober).
Does Researcher Independence Have an Impact on Funding Decisions? Vortrag auf der Konferenz Funded and Unfunded Science: Academic Inequalities and Epistemic Gaps, Centre for Science, Technology, and Society Studies at the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.

Grant Allocation disparities from a gender perspective.

Möller, T. (2019, August).
Grant Allocation disparities from a gender perspective. Vortrag im Rahmen des Kolloquiums des DZHW Berlin, 13.08.2019, Berlin.

Contact person

Torger Möller
Dr. Torger Möller +49 511 450670-327

Project website

https://www.granted-project.eu/

Funded by

Europäische Kommission