Frontier research depends on perspective. What we choose to see, and what we overlook, shapes our research questions, data, methods, and ultimately the impact of our work. This intensive, three-day co-creative workshop invites researchers to explore how sex, gender and intersectionality can function not as add-ons, but as drivers of frontier research. By critically engaging with these perspectives, participants will learn how to identify blind spots, challenge established assumptions, and open new analytical and methodological pathways that strengthen scientific excellence.

Rethinking research from the ground up

Rather than focusing on the mere inclusion of a “gender dimension”, the workshop encourages participants to rethink their research projects as a whole. Integrating sex, gender and intersectional perspectives can enhance:

  • the originality of research questions,

  • the robustness and reproducibility of methods and data, and

  • the explanatory power and impact of results.

Through a combination of keynote lectures, hands-on workshops and guided peer mentoring, participants will work directly on their own project ideas, refining them well before they reach the review stage.

Who should apply?

The workshop is aimed at researchers who are:

  • Considering submitting an ERC proposal (Starting, Consolidator or Advanced Grant), or an MSCA proposal with a strong frontier research orientation; and

  • Interested in integrating sex, gender and/or intersectionality in ways that strengthen the scientific quality, ambition and competitiveness of their proposals.

All participants must be affiliated with a research organisation based in a COST Member or COST Near-Neighbour Country and comply with COST eligibility requirements.

We particularly welcome applications from researchers across a wide range of disciplines, career stages, countries, genders, ethnicities, (dis)abilities and sexual orientations.

What will participants gain?

Participants will benefit from:

  • Expert input aligned with ERC and MSCA evaluation criteria

  • Structured peer exchange and tailored feedback

  • Hands-on proposal development

  • A collaborative environment to critically reflect on research design, methods and impact narratives

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a clearer and more ambitious research concept, strengthened through the integration of sex, gender and intersectional perspectives.

How to apply

Applicants are invited to submit:

  • Information on their academic or organisational affiliation

  • An extended abstract (max. 300 words) outlining their research profile and proposal context

  • A motivation statement (max. 200 words) explaining how the workshop will support their proposal development

Confidential or highly innovative core ideas do not need to be disclosed.

Please submit your application online using this link : https://beta.framaforms.org/nextgender—call-for-applications