Diversity, equity and inclusion: how funding agencies are addressing inequalities in research

Abstract

Recent events have reinforced the need to implement responsible research assessments to address different inequalities in science (e. g. gender, race, language). Funding agencies have a central role in mitigating or perpetuating inequities and can influence societal priorities and policies. Considering this background, we investigated how six FAs worldwide are addressing EDI in their funding activities. The following aspects were considered: if more types of diversities are being addressed besides gender approaches; if FAs hold specific departments to address EDI issues; if internal guidelines to eliminate EDI-related bias in peer review processes, grants, and projects evaluations we implemented; if FA conducts a systematic evaluation of diversity data; and finally, if FAs makes diversity data available. Our findings indicate that FAs are considering EDI in their activities and advancing in a more intersectional approach to addressing it.