Funders urged to focus on applications, not applicants

Swedish Research Council says that a strong focus on applicants favours male researchers

To ensure equal opportunities for all genders, funders should focus more on the merits of a grant application than on the applicant, according to the Swedish Research Council.

When research funders consider an applicant’s experience, publishing record and other set criteria, they tend to disproportionately favour senior researchers, according to a council report. Senior researchers are more likely to be male, so focusing on the applicant puts women at a disadvantage.