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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to investigate and address systemic career barriers faced by underrepresented and marginalised researchers within the European Research Area (ERA). It aims to increase awareness, provide actionable knowledge, and develop concrete tools for policy makers, research funding organizations, higher education institutions, and research performing organizations. - Explicit identification of target recipient type and size: The target recipients are primarily research performing organizations, higher education institutions, and research funding organizations that can undertake comprehensive research and develop interventions related to gender equality and inclusiveness in research careers. - MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': This grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC focusing on the research and innovation sector, particularly social sciences, gender studies, and inclusive policies within academia and research. - Geographic scope and any location requirements: The geographic scope covers EU Member States and Associated Countries. Projects must gather data in at least 10 Member States and Associated Countries. - Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Organizations interested must have a strong focus on social sciences, gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within the research and innovation ecosystem. The project must involve in-depth research and the development of practical tools. - Grant frequency and program context: This is part of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025, specifically under 'Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area'. Horizon Europe typically features recurring calls, indicating a programmatic approach.

Financial Structure

Budget range: The grant provides a specific amount of 2,000,000.0 EUR for the expected single grant.
Maximum grant amount: 2,000,000.0 EUR.
Minimum grant amount: 2,000,000.0 EUR.
Total budget for this specific topic (HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-04) is 2,000,000.0 EUR.
Eligible costs: Costs associated with conducting research, developing tools (toolkits, guidance, training materials), implementing interventions (mentorship programs, training), and disseminating results.
Matching fund requirements: Not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) typically provide 100% funding for eligible costs for non-profit entities and often for specific research activities.
Co-financing requirements: Not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Payment schedule and mechanisms: Described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes, and further detailed in the 'EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement'.
Financial reporting requirements: Detailed in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the 'EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement'.
Audit requirements: Detailed in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the 'EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement'.
Indirect cost policies: Not explicitly mentioned, but typically follow Horizon Europe standard rates.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type

Eligible organization types include 'higher education and research performing organisations' and 'research funding organisations'. This typically translates to universities, research institutes, and public bodies involved in research management and funding.

Specific Qualifications and Certifications

Organizations must have the capacity to conduct comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research.
Expertise in social sciences, gender studies, and intersectionality is essential.

Organizational Size and Capacity

No explicit size limitations (e.g., SME, large enterprise) are stated. Eligibility is based on the type and functional capacity to perform research and policy development.
Organizations must meet the 'financial and operational capacity' requirements described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Geographic Location

Applicants must be established in 'Eligible Countries' as defined in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, which includes EU Member States and Associated Countries.
Research activities undertaken as part of the project must gather data in at least 10 Member States and Associated Countries.

Track Record and Experience

Proposals are expected to build on existing research and related actions funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe WIDERA Work Programme, indicating a preference for applicants with relevant prior experience or knowledge.

Partnership or Consortium Requirements

A 'close cooperation with relevant ERA stakeholders' is required, including the subgroup of the ERA Forum dedicated to ERA Action 5.
The 'involvement of researchers from concerned underrepresented and marginalised groups' and 'community support networks' is also required.
This indicates that a consortium approach involving multiple entities and stakeholder types is highly expected, if not formally mandated for Research and Innovation Actions.

Application Process

Application Deadlines and Submission

Application deadline: 2025-09-18.
Submission is a 'single-stage' process.
Applications must be submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal 'Submission Service'.

Required Documentation and Materials

Application form templates: The specific application form for this call is available in the Submission System.
'Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)' and 'Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)' will be used.
Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and Part B of the Application Form.

Types of Support Offered

The grant provides direct financial 'FUNDING' for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA).

Project Implementation Timeline

Expected duration of this action is 3 years.

Reporting and Monitoring

Reporting requirements and progress tracking mechanisms are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and Annex G concerning legal and financial set-up of grants.

Application Assistance Availability

Online Manual: Guide on procedures from proposal submission to grant management.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide: Detailed guidance on structure, budget, and political priorities.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions.
Research Enquiry Service: For general inquiries on European research and Framework Programmes.
National Contact Points (NCPs): Provide guidance, practical information, and assistance in EU and non-EU/Associated Countries.
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): Offers advice to businesses, with a focus on SMEs, including EU research funding guidance.
IT Helpdesk: For technical issues related to the Funding & Tenders Portal (e.g., passwords, access rights, submission).
European IPR Helpdesk: Assistance on intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk: Advice on standardisation in proposals.
Partner Search: Tool to find partner organizations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Excellence

Quality of the research activities: The proposed research should be the core component, demonstrating sound methodology (quantitative and qualitative data, including personal testimonies).
Innovation: The project should demonstrate how it builds on existing research and relevant sources.
Interdisciplinary approach: The proposal should consider different discrimination grounds starting from a gender perspective, utilizing an intersectional lens.

Impact

Contribution to EU policy goals: Expected to contribute to 'strengthened gender equality and inclusiveness in the European Research Area'.
Increased awareness: Success in raising awareness among policy makers, research funding organizations, higher education and research performing organizations, and researchers about barriers faced by underrepresented groups.
Provision of concrete tools: Development and dissemination of evidence-informed tools (e.g., toolkits, guidance, training materials) and recommendations to design and implement inclusive gender equality plans and policies.
Support for fair career advancement: Expected to provide measures like mentorship programmes, intersectional diversity training, policy changes, cultural competency initiatives, or structural reforms.
Dissemination and outreach: Effective plans to disseminate research results and project outcomes to relevant national and EU stakeholders.

Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan: Clarity of objectives, appropriateness of tasks and their distribution, and efficient allocation of resources.
Quality and complementarity of the team: The expertise and roles of individual participants and the overall consortium must be well-justified and complementary, with specific reference to involving researchers from concerned underrepresented and marginalized groups and community support networks.
Risk management: Adequacy of measures to address potential risks during project implementation.

Cross-cutting Themes

Intersectionality and Gender Perspective: The project's approach must incorporate intersectionality as a core element, starting from a gender perspective and considering other discrimination grounds. This is a central scoring factor.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Adherence to 'General conditions' outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, including Annex A (Admissibility Conditions), Annex B (Eligible Countries), Annex C (Financial and operational capacity and exclusion), Annex D (Award criteria, scoring and thresholds), Annex F (Submission and evaluation processes, Indicative timeline), and Annex G (Legal and financial set-up of the grants).

Data Protection and Privacy

Implicitly required for collection of 'personal testimonies' and sensitive data from underrepresented and marginalized groups, ensuring ethical standards and data protection regulations are met.
Adherence to 'Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement' for application submission.

Ethical Standards

Strong ethical considerations are required due to the sensitive nature of the research involving 'underrepresented and marginalised groups', 'gender-based violence and harassment', and 'discrimination grounds'.
The project should contribute to promoting 'inclusion of researchers from under-represented and marginalised groups'.
The 'European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment' should be consulted.

Intellectual Property Policies

Governed by Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the 'EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement'.

Risk Management

Expected to be addressed within the project proposal as part of the 'Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation' evaluation criterion.

Unique Aspects and Strategic Opportunities

Intersectionality: A key cross-cutting approach, requiring the investigation of compounded effects of multiple and intersecting discriminations.
Involvement of Beneficiaries: Requirement to involve researchers from concerned underrepresented and marginalized groups and community support networks in the project.
Synergies: Encouraged to explore potential synergies with projects funded under Horizon Europe Cluster 2 and by the European Research Council.
Policy Alignment: Directly supports objectives of ERA Action 5 (gender equality and inclusiveness) and ERA Action 4 (inclusive research careers).
National Context: Proposals should consider 'national legal and policy frameworks, institutional practices as well as individual levels'.

Grant Details