The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has published a new funding guideline to close the gender data gap in clinical research. The aim is to identify evidence gaps for gender-sensitive treatments and to promote the consideration of gender-specific aspects in research.

Clinical trials often disproportionately include men, while women and nonbinary people are underrepresented. The reasons are methodological challenges such as hormonal fluctuations or pregnancy. This leads to knowledge gaps that affect health care, especially for women. The funding guideline aims to prioritize urgent research questions, expand evidence on gender-sensitive therapies and sensitize young researchers to this topic.

The funding comprises four modules: systematic reviews of existing evidence, post-hoc analyses of study datasets, priority setting partnerships to identify relevant research questions, and summer schools to qualify young researchers. Universities, research institutions, health care facilities and, in Module 3, patient organisations are also funded. The results may only be used in Germany, the EEA or Switzerland.

Grants are granted as non-repayable grants, for universities with up to 100 percent of the project-related expenses and a project lump sum of 20 percent. Applications must be submitted to the DLR Project Management Agency by 10 March 2026. The evaluation is carried out by an external committee according to criteria such as relevance, scientific quality and integration of patient perspectives. The directive is valid until 30 June 2027, with a possible extension until 2031.

Original Paper:

Guideline for the Funding of Projects on the Reduction of the Gender Data Gap in Clinical Research – Health Research BMFTR

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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