Articles

Gender equality plan in research – new requirement of Horizon Europe framework programme

Alla Kirova — Economic Research Institute аt BAS
Published: 20.11.2022

Abstract

In the research sphere, gender equality is among the core values, criteria and principles for building the new European Research Area. The European Union is constantly concerned with putting this principle into practice by ensuring equal opportunities for women and men and eliminating existing imbalances and distinctions. To this end, a new requirement is introduced for submitting validated gender equality plans in organisations applying for projects under the current Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation covering 2021-2027. This study aims to: (a) outline the fulfilment of this criterion for participation in the programme by academic institutions in Bulgaria; (b) assess the conformity of the planned areas of intervention with the current state of gender differences in research in Bulgaria; (c) raise the awareness and sensitivity of academic staff to this issue given current European regulations.

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