1. Research Money for Female Applicants Experience from the The Danish Council for Independent Research Professor Ebba Nexo Vice chair, The Danish Council for Independent Research Women in Academia, Aarhus, May 18-19, 2009

2. The Danish Research Funding Agencies and Research Policy Organisations 2008 (mio. kr.) Basic research Strategic research Innovation Innovation Danmarks Forskningspolitiske Råd The Danish National Research Foundation The Danish Council for Independent Research The Danish Council for Strategic Research The Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation The Danish Council for Technology and Innovation 3141.156818272848 Scientific research councils Programme Commissions The Danish Research Coordination Committee

3. 88 members 36 women (41%) Board, 9 members, 2 females (22%) Humanities Natural Sciences Social Sciences Medical Sciences Technology and Production Sciences The Danish Council for Independent Research - http://fi.dk/

4. MenWomen Applicants6252 Grants Post.doc. applications, Sweden 1995 How Research Money for Female Researchers Came on the Agenda

5. MenWomen Applicants6252 Grants16 (26 %)4 (8 %) Post.doc. applications, Sweden 1995

6. MenWomen Applicants6252 Grants16 (26 %)4 (8 %) Wenneras C, Wold A.: Nature 1997 387; p 341-3 Post.doc. applications, Sweden 1995 Female applicants had to publish 2.5 times more than male applicants to obtain the same scores How Research Money for Female Researchers Came on the Agenda

7. The Danish Debate that Followed Immediate need for a sex reversal in the Danish research landscape Plenty of male sexism in the debate on research The PrimeMinister wants special jobs for women Women do not want to advance in science

8. Applications Danish Research Councils 1996 Share of women in public research institutions: 28 % Share of applications from women: 23 % No detectable problem related to post. doc. grants

9. Success rate Danish Research Councils 1996 Share of women in public research institutions: 28 % Share of applications from women: 23 %

10. Money applied for Danish Research Councils 1996 A female applicant applies for less than a male applicant

11. Money Applied for and Granted Danish Research Councils 1996 A female applicant is granted a smaller fraction of the amount applied for than male applicants

12. Conclusion Applications for the Danish Research Council 1996 The number of female applicants is lower than expected Female applicants have a lower success rate than male applicants Grants for women are half the size of those for men MoneySuccess rate Female researchers: 28 %, Female applicants: 23 %

13. Why do Female Applicants Get less than Their Share? Less talented? Perform research within low esteem areas? Do not know how to write a proposal? Unfair evaluation? - Members of The Research Councils:1996: 89, 25 women (28 %) - Little is known concerning evaluations by male evaluators as compared to female evaluators

14. The FREJA Initiative – 1998-2001 Female Researchers in Joint Action Getting a grant -Total budget: 78 mio. Dkr - 327 applications - 16 grants Impact of getting a grant - All have got permanent positions – 10 as professors

15. Fraction of female researchers 0.37 (2006) versus 0.28 (1996) Fraction of female applicants 0.28 (2006) versus 0.23 (1996) The fraction of female researchers had increased 0.09 but the fractions of Female applicants had only increased 0.05 Applications Danish Research Councils 2006 compared to1996

16. 20061996 The fraction of applications granted has diminished for both sexes The difference between female and male applicants has diminished Success rate Danish Research Councils 2006 compared to1996

17. Both male and female applicants apply for more money The difference between male and female applicants have diminished 20061996 Money Applied for Danish Research Councils 2006 compared to 1996

18. Female applicants are granted comparable to male applicants Female applicants are granted relatively more than male applicants A major change since 1996 20061996 Money Granted Danish Research Councils 2006 compared to 1996

19. New Challenges Fraction Male Female PhDPost docAssist. Prof. Associat. Prof Full Prof Fraction of female applicants 0.28 (2006) Fraction of female researchers 0.37 (2006)

20. New Challenges - Female Research Leaders 2008: 35 mio. Dkr 207 applications – 10 grants 2009: 70 mio. Dkr 198 applications Fraction Male Female PhDPost docAssist. Prof. Associat. Prof Full Prof

21. The goal - Support and advance young research talents - Promote clear career directions - Develop a stepping stone to international funds - Expand the pool of talent – both female and male researchers The action Increase the number of grants at three levels – suggestedvolume/year - Post. Doc. 45 - Starting grants - 27 - Advanced grants - 7 Sapere Aude – ”Dare to Know” A new Career Program Proposed by The Danish Council for Independent Research for 2010-

22. Research Money for Female Applicants Summary Ten years ago female researchers had a tough time Programs geared towards female researchers works To day Too few female researchers in high level positions women in boards - applications from women A career program for both female and male researchers are to be launched Currently no plans for further initiatives especially for women