The National Health and Medical Research Council announces “a discussion” on options for “gender equity” in the Investigator Grant scheme

Not that the NHMRC will necessarily do anything, stating yesterday it “has not decided whether to introduce changes to this scheme or, if so, which path to take.”

But however travelled any possible path it could take, the council faces continuing pressure to do something.

Investigator Grants are fundamental to the funding scheme introduced in 2018, designed to support ”highest performing researchers” at all career stages. But in the first three years more men than women applied for, and were awarded grants, receiving “more overall funding.”  Problem was a “predominance of male applicants at the most senior levels of the scheme, where budgets tend to be largest,” (CMM April 12).

The NHMRC has already announced a six-month delay (from this August to next January) in opening 2023 Investigator applications, to work on what to do and the discussion now announced appears part of that process.

There will be in-person sessions presenting options, in all states (ex Tasmania) and the ACT early- mid August with a national Zoom.

Last week the NHMRC released its new three-year gender-equity strategy (CMM July 1) which is admirable in intent.