Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)

General information

Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

In 2023-24, NSERC will continue to advance the implementation of the Tri-Agency Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan, working closely with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and other agencies and institutions. As outlined in NSERC’s new strategic plan, NSERC 2030: Discovery, innovation, inclusion, the agency envisions a diverse and inclusive research ecosystem, one that expands the existing talent pool and research practices, finds common space for mutually respectful exploration, and serves to advance Indigenous research priorities.

As part of the NSERC 2030 strategic plan and the Tri-agency EDI Action Plan, NSERC commits to applying GBA Plus and integrating EDI considerations into its policies, plans, programs and processes in order to identify and address systemic biases that hinder equitable access to its programs. NSERC builds and sustains internal GBA Plus capacity by operating a GBA Plus Community of Practice and by allocating staff resources dedicated to EDI within the EDI Strategy, the Science and Engineering Promotion as well as the Human Resources divisions. In 2023-24 NSERC will advance GBA Plus for the College and Community Innovation and Alliance programs. In addition, NSERC will synthesize GBA Plus findings from analyses conducted to date, in order to identify gaps and best practices as well as provide recommendations for future analyses.

Self-identification data is collected from applicants and peer reviewers, enabling NSERC staff to undertake GBA Plus and other EDI-focused analyses, taking an intersectional approach, in support of enhancing EDI in research funding and in review committees and governance bodies. In 2023-24, the Tri-Agency self-identification questionnaire will be reviewed and NSERC will continue to enhance availability and use of self-identification data to support EDI initiatives such as diversifying membership of peer review and advisory committees. To report publicly on EDI in competition results, Discovery Grants, Research Tools and Instruments and Subatomic Physics Grants application rates and competition results are provided in dynamic dashboards on the NSERC website. Work is underway to present additional analyses such as trends over time.

Mandatory GBA Plus and EDI training for NSERC staff will continue in 2023-24. In addition, NSERC is working with CIHR and SSHRC to update training for members of peer review committees. A comprehensive update of the ‘Bias in Peer Review’ training module is expected to be published in 2023-24.

Highlights of GBA Plus Results Reporting Capacity by Program

Discovery Research

The Discovery Research Program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework, namely Economic Participation and Prosperity, and its objectives of increasing labour market opportunities for women and achieving a better balance of gender across occupations. Through its emphasis on training, this program also supports the pillar of Education and Skills Development.

At each competition cycle, the program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and other identity factors. Data collected through the self-identification questionnaire facilitate intersectional analysis. Since 2021, the Competition Statistics Dashboard for Discovery Grants has been a platform where disaggregated data on different identity factors are presented. The dashboard will be regularly updated in order to help facilitate monitoring and reporting during 2023-24.

Research Training and Talent Development

The Research Training and Talent Development Program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework, most notably under Education and Skills Development, aiming at providing more diversified educational paths and career choices across genders and increasing Indigenous and racialized students’ access to post-secondary scholarships.

At each competition cycle, the program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and other identity factors. Data collected through the self-identification questionnaire facilitate intersectional analysis. The most recent disaggregated data on different identity factors are published in the 2021 Competition Statistics report. Additional dashboards for Research Training and Talent Development funding opportunities are under development.

Research Partnerships

The Research Partnerships Program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework, namely: Economic Participation and Prosperity, particularly the provision of increased labour market opportunities for women and a better gender balance across occupations.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and other identity factors. In 2023-24 NSERC will continue to expand analysis and publication of disaggregated data on different identity factors.

Internal Services

Internal Services have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework, namely: Economic Participation and Prosperity, Leadership and Democratic Participation. Under these pillars, Internal Services have an impact on the objectives of equal sharing of parenting roles and responsibilities, more women in permanent and well-paid jobs, and more diversity in senior leadership positions and on boards.

In 2023-24 NSERC will continue to deliver on key diversity and inclusion commitments following the culture review and employment systems review, accessibility plan, official languages policy renewal and the pay equity plan. NSERC’s Accessibility Plan will be published in December 2022 and implemented throughout 2023-24 and beyond.

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