Funding for Individual Projects

Funding for time-limited individual projects and programs can be requested through a competitive application process from the university's internal Women’s Promotion Fund. Eligible projects must make a clear and verifiable contribution to at least one of the following objectives:

  1. Promoting gender equality at the University of Münster,
  2. Targeted career advancement for early-career female researchers,
  3. Reducing structural disadvantages or the existing underrepresentation of women,
  4. Further developing gender-related research and teaching at the University of Münster.

  • Eligible Projects

    In particular, funding can be provided for additional measures that go beyond the regular duties and offerings of institutes and faculties. This includes:

    • Cross-faculty formats such as lecture series or events in the General Studies program (Allgemeine Studien).
    • Specific workshops, networking opportunities, or support measures for early-career female researchers.
    • Creative and innovative projects that test new approaches for internal university equality work are also explicitly welcome.
    • Measures for female students may be eligible for funding if they specifically serve to reduce proven underrepresentation or structural disadvantages and are not part of regular study financing.

  • Ineligible Projects Excluded from funding are:

    • Qualification scholarships and positions,
    • Regular research projects,
    • Continuing education and measures that serve basic professional qualification or training,
    • Regular courses and curricular offerings,
    • Student projects, initiatives, or events whose financing falls within the responsibility of the respective institute or faculty based on subject matter and target group,
    • Travel expenses for students,
    • Projects for which regular budget, teaching, institute, or faculty funds are available or should be used as a priority,
    • Projects that have already started or been completed.

    The mere participation of women or the coverage of a woman-specific or gender-related topic does not, on its own, justify eligibility. The specific contribution to gender equality and the additional need for funding must be clearly demonstrated in the application.

  • Application Process

    Applications must be submitted informally via email to the Equal Opportunity Officer:

    gleichstellungsbeauftragte@uni-muenster.de.

    Required Information:

    1. Description of the project: Presentation of objectives, target group, content, format, duration, and expected results.
    2. Explanation of relevance to gender equality: Specific explanation of how the project contributes to gender equality, the promotion of early-career female researchers, the reduction of underrepresentation, or the further development of gender-related research and teaching.
    3. Justification for additional funding needs: Clear explanation of why the project cannot be financed through regular institute or faculty funds, or other available sources of funding. For student projects, a reason must also be provided as to why funding does not fall under the responsibility of the relevant faculty.
    4. Cost and financing plan: Breakdown of expected expenses, requested funding amount, and any existing internal or external third-party funds.
    5. Differentiation from regular duties: Explanation of how the project extends beyond existing teaching, research, qualification, or supervision services.