The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has been recognized with the prestigious EU Award for Gender Equality Champions 2024, acknowledging its long-standing commitment to gender equality in research and innovation. This award highlights CSIC’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse scientific environment for more than two decades.
The EU Award for Gender Equality Champions is the highest European recognition for institutions that have successfully implemented gender equality plans and policies. CSIC has won in the Sustainable Gender Equality Champions category and will receive a €100,000 prize. It now joins a distinguished group of organizations, including CNRS (France) and Trinity College Dublin, that have previously received this honor.
CSIC President, Eloísa del Pino, receiving the award from the EU Commissioner for
Startups, Research, and Innovation, Ekaterina Zakharieva. / CSIC
A step forward for gender equality in research
Achieving gender equality in research and innovation is a continuous effort that requires strong institutional commitment and collective action. The recognition of CSIC as a Gender Equality Champion is a significant milestone, demonstrating the impact of long-term policies and strategies to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities. This award is not just a celebration of past achievements but also an encouragement to keep pushing for progress in the future.
This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of all CSIC institutes, including ICMAB, in advancing gender equality. In fact, ICMAB itself was awarded the CSIC gender equality distinction in 2018 in the first edition of this accreditation, demonstrating our institute’s firm commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities in science.
Xavier Obradors receiving the Gender Equality Distinction in 2018 at CSIC.
ICMAB’s active role in gender equality and inclusion
At ICMAB, gender equality has always been a priority. We have an active gender equality and diversity committee, which plays a key role in implementing actions to promote inclusivity. Recently, we approved the action plan for equality and inclusion 2024-2028 (PLA3I), reflecting our evolving approach towards addressing not only gender disparities but also broader issues of diversity and intersectionality.
Despite significant progress, gender equality in STEM remains a challenge. Addressing these inequalities requires continuous commitment from institutions and individuals alike. By working together, we can create a more equitable, inclusive, and productive scientific community.
We congratulate CSIC on this well-deserved recognition and reaffirm our dedication to fostering a research environment that values diversity and equal opportunities for all.
About the EU Gender Equality Champions:
- El CSIC, premio a la trayectoria en igualdad de género de la Unión Europea (CSIC)
- Unveiling EU Gender Equality Champions in Research and Innovation (EU Commission)
About the 2018 CSIC Equality Distinction to ICMAB:
- The ICMAB awarded with the Gender Equality Certificate by the CSIC (ICMAB)
- The CSIC Gender Equality Certificate to the ICMAB was delivered by the CSIC President, Rosa Menéndez to Xavier Obradors (ICMAB)
- Rosa Menéndez entrega el ‘Distintivo de Igualdad’ CSIC 2018 al Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Barcelona (CSIC)