Close the Gap Fund

+++ The deadline for applications has passed +++

Studies show that female* researchers have submitted fewer research projects and publications than their male* colleagues during the coronavirus pandemic. This is mainly due to the pandemic-related challenges of reconciling family and  career. Lacking or limited childcare and health services have contributed to intensify  already existing inequalities in the research and higher education system especially for female* researchers with family responsibilities. In particular, the so called “Gender Publication Gap” which indicates the reduced number of publications is an indication of the increased inequality.

In addition, the use of laboratories is either completely or severely restricted, and research trips as well as surveys or treatments are being postponed. Furthermore, the increased requirements of digital teaching duties take up more of early career researcher’s time, and thus limit the number of publications.

As part of the Close the Gap Project, funded by the Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research, Equalities and Districts (BWFGB), Universität Hamburg invited applications for the Close the Gap Fund to address the pandemic-related publication gap as well as challenges for researchers with family obligations due to the pandemic.

Eligible applicants were:

• female* researchers
• researchers with family or caregiving responsibilities

who have been working at Universität Hamburg since Winter Semester 2020/2021. Members of the medical faculty/ UKE are excluded from the application process.

Applications could be made for:

• support when preparing publications (e.g. through student assistants)
• individual coaching sessions
• offers of flexible childcare
• individual funding to compensate for pandemic-related restrictions and challenges (scholarships and teaching assignments excluded)

The applications had to be submitted to the equal opportunity commissioner of Universität Hamburg between 1 March 2021 and 30 June 2022.