SAKURA - Gender Equality in Scientific and Academic Careers 2025

Research

What?

The “Gender Equality in Scientific and Academic Careers” project call by the Sakura Fund offers financial support for projects that promote gender equality within academic and scientific careers. The goal is to support initiatives that help female researchers advance from the early stages of their doctoral studies into more stable academic careers. The call does not focus on individual support but rather on projects that bring about structural changes within academic and scientific institutions in Belgium.

Specifically, financial support will be awarded to proposals that aim to:

• Significantly increase the number of women successfully—and with greater ease—transitioning from the start of their doctoral studies to a more permanent academic career.
• Move beyond individual support for women by focusing on mechanisms that can drive meaningful structural change.

The Sakura Fund provides financial support, networking, and visibility to the projects it supports:

1. Financial support: Projects supported by the Sakura Fund receive funding of up to €42,500 per year for a period of 3 years, with the possibility of extension to 5 years. This funding is distributed over 3 years to allow projects the opportunity to fully develop;
2. To support project leaders and disseminate project results, the Sakura Fund encourages networking and the sharing of outcomes between funded projects, as well as more broadly with all stakeholders committed to gender equality in academic and scientific careers. Several opportunities for peer review and networking between projects are planned: an initial kickoff meeting followed by a peer review meeting every six months among the various selected projects. These exchanges aim to maintain high motivation, learn from the experiences of others, and create a dynamic 'community of practice.';
3. To enhance the impact of the supported projects, and depending on the nature of the funded initiatives and the results achieved, communication events and activities may be organized at the end of the three funding years.

Who?

Applications are open to project leaders from Belgian institutions of higher education (universities or other academic institutions) or external organizations that demonstrably collaborate with at least one French- or Dutch-speaking institution in Belgium. Projects may be designed at macro (university), meso (e.g., faculty or research institutes), or micro levels (such as research centers). Both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking institutions, or a combination of both, are eligible.

Application?

Applications must be submitted by December 15, 2024, through a form available on the Foundation for Future Generations’ website. The form, available in both French and Dutch, must be completed, signed, and include a detailed budget for the three-year period. Project leaders need to submit a clear plan for their planned actions, expenses, and how the project will contribute to sustainable gender equality within their organization. Selected projects will begin in March 2025 and must submit semi-annual progress reports.

More information?

More information can be found on the website or via this document.

Deadline

15.12.2024

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail brecht.vanhoof@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211268744