News
GENDERACTIONplus is proud to present the new guideline, Inclusive Funding: A co-created guideline for mitigating bias along the research funding cycle! This document offers research funding organisations (RFOs) a clear overview to support the design and implementation of funding programmes that actively aim to mitigate gender bias and promote inclusivity.
Developed through the GENDERACTIONplus project, it draws on shared expertise and proven practices to support equity, particularly for underrepresented groups, by offering actionable steps to reduce systemic bias in assessment and decision-making.
The guideline was created within the GENDERACTIONplus Community of Practice of RFOs (RFO CoP) and reflects the project’s collective expertise, dialogue, and mutual learning. It was developed by JOANNEUM Research in close cooperation with RFO CoP WG leader Emer Cahill and with Vinnova, the RFO CoP lead, alongside all CoP members.
It addresses each step of the funding cycle – budget allocation, programme design, call text development, call launch and applicant outreach, reviewer selection, panel composition, assessment criteria definition, assessment process, and post-assessment. For each step, it outlines challenges and bias risks, mitigation strategies, good practices, and available tools and resources. It also helps link assessment approaches to the CoARA principles.