International D&I Programs

Select diversity and inclusion programs outside the United States.

🌍 Overview

While the majority of D&I funding in this repository focuses on U.S.-based opportunities, several major international programs demonstrate global trends in diversity funding.

Covered Regions:

  • 🇪🇺 European Union
  • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
  • 🌏 Global South / Developing Countries

European & UK Programs

European Research Council (ERC) - Gender and Diversity

Organization: European Research Council Type: Policy Framework Target: All ERC-funded research

Focus Areas:

  • Gender balance among applicants and reviewers
  • Participation from Europe’s less research-performing regions
  • Inclusive research environments

What This Means: High-level policy commitment embedded across all ERC programs (Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants).

For Researchers: ERC grants in the main repository have built-in D&I commitments. See EU Grants.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) - EDI Hub+

Organization: UK Research and Innovation Type: Programmatic Funding Target: Underrepresented groups, especially Black, Asian, and minority ethnic researchers

Programs:

  • Initiatives to remove barriers to doctoral study
  • Leadership development for underrepresented groups
  • Data-driven analysis of ethnic and racial representation in funding

For Researchers: UKRI actively funds projects to improve access for minority ethnic students in higher education.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) - LGBT+ Inclusion Grant

Organization: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Amount: Varies Deadline: Rolling Eligibility: Researchers in the UK studying LGBT+ attrition/retention in STEM

Purpose: Funds pilot research studies investigating why LGBT+ individuals leave STEM fields and how to improve retention.

Significance: Demonstrates commitment to data-driven inclusion. A model for evidence-based D&I work.

Global Programs

L’Oréal-UNESCO International Awards

Organization: L’Oréal Foundation & UNESCO Amount: €100,000 per award Deadline: Varies by region Eligibility: Eminent women scientists (one per global region)

Awards Given To:

  • One outstanding woman scientist from each of five world regions:
    • Africa & Arab States
    • Asia & Pacific
    • Europe
    • Latin America
    • North America

Additional Program: “International Rising Talents” - recognizes early-career women scientists globally.

Significance: Premier global recognition for women in science. Highly prestigious.

Also see: L’Oréal USA FWIS Fellowship for U.S.-based postdocs.

Organization for Women in Science (OWSD) Early Career Fellowship

Organization: Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) Amount: $50,000 Deadline: Varies Eligibility: Women PhDs in Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs)

Target: Women researchers who have completed PhDs in STEM and are employed at academic institutions in developing countries.

Eligible Countries: Designated “Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs)” - primarily in:

  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • South Asia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Latin America

Purpose: Support women scientists in countries with limited research infrastructure to continue their research careers.

📋 International Programs Table

Program Organization Region Amount Target
ERC Gender & Diversity European Research Council EU Policy All ERC applicants
UKRI EDI Hub+ UK Research & Innovation UK Varies URM researchers, esp. minority ethnic
RSC LGBT+ Inclusion Grant Royal Society of Chemistry UK Varies LGBT+ STEM research
L’Oréal-UNESCO International L’Oréal & UNESCO Global €100,000 Eminent women scientists by region
OWSD Early Career Fellowship OWSD Global South $50,000 Women PhDs in STLCs

🌐 Global Trends in D&I Funding

1. Policy Integration

European programs (ERC, UKRI) integrate D&I into all funding, rather than creating separate diversity grants.

2. Evidence-Based Approach

Programs like RSC LGBT+ Inclusion Grant fund research on diversity itself, using data to drive policy.

3. Regional Equity

OWSD and L’Oréal-UNESCO explicitly address geographic inequities, supporting researchers in under-resourced regions.

4. Intersectional Recognition

UKRI’s focus on “Black, Asian, and minority ethnic” researchers alongside other dimensions shows intersectional thinking similar to U.S. trends.

💡 For International Researchers

If You’re Outside the U.S.:

EU Researchers:

Global South Researchers:

  • OWSD Early Career Fellowship ($50,000) - primary opportunity
  • L’Oréal-UNESCO Rising Talents - early career recognition
  • Check if your country is an eligible STLC

Women Scientists Globally:

  • L’Oréal-UNESCO International Awards (€100,000) - if eminent
  • L’Oréal-UNESCO Rising Talents - if early career
  • Regional L’Oréal programs (varies by country)

If You’re a U.S. Researcher Studying Abroad:

For Marie Curie Fellowships:

For Humboldt Fellowships (Germany):

🔗 Related Sections

U.S.-Based D&I Grants:

Regional Grants:

By Audience:

📚 Additional Resources

International Organizations

  • OWSD - Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World
  • L’Oréal Foundation - For Women in Science program
  • UNESCO - Science education and equality
  • Royal Society of Chemistry - UK-based, global reach

Policy Frameworks

  • ERC Gender Equality Plan - European model
  • UKRI EDI Strategy - UK framework
  • Horizon Europe - EU diversity requirements
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