Equality and nondiscrimination

The RCF requires that all RCF-funded research promotes gender equality and nondiscrimination. Applicants must describe in the research plan how the project supports this objective. Applies to RCF calls opening on or after 19 September 2025: If the description is missing, the application will not be considered (processed). Furthermore, consideration of equality and nondiscrimination is one of the criteria in the review of applications.

Our gender equality and nondiscrimination policies focus on ensuring gender balances, eliminating and preventing structural inequalities, and active measures to support the gender perspective and gender research and promote equality.

All our decision-making bodies will monitor gender equality when granting funding for research. A particular monitoring target is the effects of new or revised RCF funding schemes on equality and nondiscrimination.

Particular attention will be paid to the transparency of decisions on research funding and the funding for research posts as well as to the balanced review of the genders, for example as regards career breaks due to parental leaves.

The RCF Equality and Nondiscrimination Plan is followed in preparing and making funding decisions. The plan is applied to those working with RCF research funding and to RCF staff.

Learn more: How we promote equality and nondiscrimination