Shape EU’s action plan for women in research, innovation and start-ups

About the consultation

The European Commission is gathering feedback on the EU’s action plan for women in research, innovation and start-ups by 23 February 2026.This action plan will address persistent gender gaps and promote diversity, equality and inclusiveness in the European Research Area (ERA). The plan aims to make the ERA the world’s most attractive place for women to work in research, innovation and start-ups by 2030. Mobilising all talents, regardless of gender, will foster the EU’s sustainable competitiveness.

This consultation gives all stakeholders the opportunity to share their views, thereby enabling the Commission to draw on a wide range of views and inputs in preparing the new action plan for women in research, innovation and startups.

How can you contribute?

• Providing your feedback here
• Deadline: 23 February 2026

Target audience

This consultation is addressed to the public and a wide range of stakeholders, including: 

•  national, regional and local authorities responsible for gender equality in research and innovation 
• all EU decentralised and executive agencies • international organisations • educational institutions, universities, research institutions and training providers 
• academics and experts in gender equality, science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STE(A)M) education, gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the workplace, work-life balance, and the gender dimension in research and innovation • employers, business organisations, startups, venture capital and private equity firms • industry associations and networks 
• investors and capital allocators, including venture capital funds, angel networks, the EIC Fund, InvestEU intermediaries, the European Investing Fund and the European Investment Bank 
• civil society organisations active in the area of gender equality and research and innovation 
• workers’ organisations and trade unions 5 
• women founders, co-founders and women in senior leadership positions (Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technical Officer, Chief Security Officer or equivalent) in research-performing and innovation-driven organisations • other individuals, public and private stakeholders with an interest in specific aspects of gender equality in research and innovation.

Topics

The Commission would like input on the following in particular:

• Do you think that women in research, innovation and startups encounter specific challenges and barriers? If so, which ones?
• Why do you think young girls choose not to pursue a STEM career when they go to university?
• Taking into account research showing that greater diversity makes companies more competitive, better performing and more resilient, how do you think the underrepresentation of women negatively affects outcomes and competitiveness in research, innovation and startups?
• Taking an intersectional approach, do you think that there are specific challenges and barriers (e.g. racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ people, and diverse age groups) in research, innovation and startups? As a researcher, are there specific challenges or concerns related to academic freedom that you have encountered in your work, particularly when working on integrating the gender dimension into your work, or focusing on gender or women's studies, and if so, how do you think they could be addressed in the context of this initiative?
• What structural or operational factors in the investment ecosystem (such as deal sourcing, due diligence processes, investment committee composition, or network dynamics) most affect women founders’ ability to access early-stage and scale-up finance, and how could EU action help address them?
• What specific actions do you recommend that the EU and/or its Member States take to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in research, innovation and startups?
• Do you think that a coordinated EU response could help to address gender-based violence, including psychological and sexual harassment, in the research and innovation sector? If so, what form should this response take and how could it add value to what is already in place?