Call for Expressions of Interest: The Gender in STEM Research Initiative - Advancing gender analysis and women’s leadership in STEM fields

Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity to advance gender analysis and women’s leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields through the Gender in STEM Research Initiative.

In the last decade, pioneering work by a number of scholars and organizations around the world has increased awareness of the importance of a more inclusive approach to science, in particular one that integrates women as scientists and users of science, and that recognizes gender analysis as integral to high-quality research and innovation. Several initiatives have been launched in response, and some advances have been made. Nonetheless we continue to observe twin deficits in women’s representation as leaders in science — notably, in natural sciences, and engineering and maths — and in the integration of gender analysis[1] in these fields. This requires a redoubling of efforts to deepen understanding about the twin gender deficits in STEM and propose evidence-based strategies for how higher education and science systems can respond.

This initiative, therefore, will support university-led consortia to expand and deepen scholarship in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in Africa, on the challenges and opportunities that women scientists experience in STEM fields and on the importance of gender analysis in STEM research. The initiative will increase localized evidence on the key factors that constrain or support women scientists and gender analysis in STEM at different levels and in different STEM domains, on actual or potential strategies (structures, programs and policies) to address these, and on lessons learned at the level of universities and responsible ministries, nationally and regionally. Through research, consortia will be expected to identify innovative approaches that increase the capacity of universities and other higher-education institutions to be more inclusive of women and gender analysis in STEM. The ultimate objective is to increase the contribution of science to gender equality.

Expressions of interest (EoIs) are invited from research consortia that bring together the range of multi-disciplinary and sectoral perspectives, capacities, and contributions needed to undertake gender in STEM research in line with the objectives, outcomes, and themes of this funding opportunity, as set out below.

Eligibility considerations: Applications are eligible from consortia involving at least two public universities based in at least two eligible LMICs. Consortia may also involve researchers based at other institutions in these and other countries, and other stakeholders, as appropriate. Consistent with the focus of the call, we expect women scientists to play a leading role in the consortia as established and emerging researchers.  

Geographic focus: Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Up to eight consortia may be funded, half being in Africa.

Duration of research grants: 36 months

Budget: CA$1 million to CA$1.25 million per research consortium; a total of CA$8 million is available for this call.