[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 16, 2025 (Stage 1) | March 17, 2026 (Stage 2)

~€3,400,000 per project (lump sum); 3 projects funded; total call budget €10,200,000

Funds research on gender differences in parental career trajectories and their impact on gender equality and family well-being.

--- ## Description This grant supports collaborative research projects that investigate gender differences in the career trajectories of parents and how these differences contribute to gender gaps in employment, pay, entrepreneurship, occupational choice, and other socio-economic outcomes. The research should adopt an intersectional approach, considering factors such as household composition, socio-economic status, gender identity, migrant background, and ethnicity. Projects are expected to analyze both individual and structural drivers of these disparities—including unpaid childcare, societal norms, workplace cultures, and institutional policies—and assess the implications for family well-being. Proposals should use longitudinal data and mixed methods, with a focus on providing actionable insights and policy recommendations to reduce gender gaps and support diverse families. Special attention is encouraged for early childhood education systems, workplace cultures, economic costs of motherhood penalties, and the experiences of LGBTIQ and migrant parents. --- ## Due Dates - **Stage 1 (Short outline submission):** September 16, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time) - **Stage 2 (Full proposal submission):** March 17, 2026 (17:00 Brussels time) Applicants must first submit a short outline in Stage 1; only successful projects will be invited to submit a full proposal in Stage 2. --- ## Funding Amount - **Indicative budget per project:** ~€3,400,000 (lump sum funding) - **Total call budget:** €10,200,000 - **Expected number of funded projects:** 3 - **Project duration:** Typically 36–48 months (to be proposed by applicants) Funding is provided as a lump sum grant under Horizon Europe rules. --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium requirement:** At least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different eligible countries (EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries). - **Eligible applicants:** Universities, research organizations, public bodies, non-profits, and private entities. - **Countries:** EU Member States and Associated Countries (see the [current list](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf)); some non-EU countries may participate without funding or with national funding. - **Gender Equality Plan:** Public bodies, research organizations, and higher education institutions from Member States or Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place. - **Exclusions:** Projects must have an exclusive focus on civil applications. Entities from Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. - **Other requirements:** Proposals must address the integration of the gender dimension in research content and adhere to Horizon Europe’s open science and ethics rules. --- ## Application Process - **Two-stage application:** - **Stage 1:** Submit a 10-page outline proposal by September 16, 2025. - **Stage 2:** If invited, submit a full proposal (up to 50 pages) by March 17, 2026. - **Submission:** All proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL2-2025-02-TRANSFO-04-two-stage). - **Evaluation:** Stage 1 proposals are evaluated on Excellence and Impact. Stage 2 proposals are evaluated on Excellence, Impact, and Implementation, following Horizon Europe criteria. - **Templates:** Use the standard application forms for Stage 1 and Stage 2 provided on the Portal. - **Page limits:** 10 pages for Stage 1; up to 50 pages for Stage 2. - **Budget:** Detailed budget table required for Stage 2. --- ## Additional Information - **Data requirements:** Proposals should leverage longitudinal data and ensure outputs are FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). - **Open science:** Open access to research outputs and data management plans are mandatory. - **Intersectionality:** Projects should consider a range of intersecting factors (e.g., migrant background, LGBTIQ status, socio-economic status). - **Policy relevance:** Strong emphasis on actionable policy recommendations and engagement with policymakers and stakeholders. - **Ethics:** Proposals must complete an ethics self-assessment and comply with EU/national ethical standards. --- ## External Links - [Topic details and official call page (EU Funding & Tenders Portal)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL2-2025-02-TRANSFO-04-two-stage) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes to Work Programme 2025](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (Stage 1)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia-stage-1_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (Full Proposal)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - [Evaluation Form (Stage 1)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia-csa-stage-1_en.pdf) - [Evaluation Form (Full Proposal)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Link/Contact | |------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General call & topic queries | [EU Funding & Tenders Portal Q&A](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | European Commission general | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | ---

Gender differences in career trajectories of parents and their implications for gender equality and family well-being

Sign in to see full grant listing