Proposals of Integrated Projects and Networks must include an action plan on gender issues which contains what actions and activities will be carried out to promote the role of female scientists within the project. The GAP should provide detailed information on actions to be undertaken – and monitored – to encourage women (or men in case they are under-represented) to apply for research positions, to ensure that equal opportunities will be promoted in recruitment at all levels, and to encourage the participation of women in management and scientific committees, where they usually are under-represented. It should also define how relevant gender aspects in research content will be addressed and monitored.

Source: website of the European Commission - Research Area

Elisabetta Giuffra and Simona Palermo coordinate for the Parco Tecnologico Padano the Gender Action Plans (GAPs) of two European research networks (FP6):

SABRE (Integrated Project)
EADGENE (Network of Excellence)

Within the GAPs of SABRE and EADGENE, thanks to the expertise of Observa - Science in Society sociologists, a survey among the research, technical and administrative staff of all the institutions involved in the projects was carried out in order to assess the perception and attitudes toward gender issues in their institute and in their research field.