Gender principles in Horizon Europe projects

Sex and gender in the study design

The ‘Gender Chapter’ in Horizon Europe proposals is not about achieving gender balance in project teams. It’s about explaining how your scientific approach is taking into account relevant sex- and gender-related behaviors, needs, and perceptions. For example:

• Transport

  • Gendered travel behavior due to unequal care responsibilities
  • Gender-specific safety needs and perceptions
  • In-vehicle safety equipment (belts, airbags) adapted to different body types

• Energy

  • Energy use shaped by gender roles (e.g., household tasks)
  • Impact of income gaps (e.g., pay or pension disparities) on consumption patterns

• Health and Biology

  • Different sex-related symptoms
  • Need for different treatments for each sex
  • Disaggregation of data or cell samples by sex

• Community engagement

  • Cultural gender norms and expectations
  • Discrimination, inclusion and intersectionality
  • Gender-related outreach and communication

• IT

  • Role of gender stereotypes in Artificial Intelligence
  • Gendered patterns in access to and use of new technologies
  • Gender as a factor in tech acceptability

• Market Analysis

  • Gender as a factor in consumer segmentation and consumption pattern analysis

The key is to be specific and grounded. Avoid vague promises or buzzwords like “gender-proofing.” Instead, show that you’ve thought through the actual implications of your research topic. If possible, involve a team member or partner from the social sciences to support this.

Gender equality in project implementation

Since 2022, having a Gender Equality Plan is a mandatory eligibility requirement for public and research institutions participating in Horizon Europe as beneficiaries or affiliated entities. At minimum, a compliant GEP must include:

• A formal, public document signed by top management
• Assigned resources and gender expertise
• Data collection and monitoring of sex/gender indicators
• Regular training for staff and management on gender issues

Other strategic plans (e.g., Diversity & Inclusion policies) may qualify if they meet the same criteria.

In practice, the GEP should cover:

• Work-life balance and organisational culture
• Ensuring equity in management and decision-making
• Gender fairness in recruitment and career development
• Integration of gender dimension into research and teaching
• Prevention of gender-based violence and harassment

Improving your chances

Taking sex and gender seriously doesn’t just improve your proposal’s chances, it leads to results that are more accurate, inclusive, and useful in the real world.

At PNO Innovation, we’ve supported over 120 Horizon proposals across transport, health, defense, energy, and more. We’ve seen how addressing the gender dimension early on can strengthen a project in scoring and in substance.

This article is based on a publication by Christiane Abele, who has advised numerous European projects on integrating gender aspects into research and innovation. Want to know how this applies to your proposal? We’re happy to think along with you.

Further reading

• Accounting for sex and gender makes for better science. Nature 588, 196 (2020).
• Tannenbaum, C., Ellis, R.P., Eyssel, F. et al. Sex and gender analysis improves science
  and engineering.
• European Commission: GENDERED INNOVATIONS 2: How Inclusive Analysis
  Contributes to Research and Innovation.