Equal Opportunity at PDI

At PDI, we recognize the critical role that diversity plays in driving innovation and progress in science. In particular, we value the unique perspectives and contributions that women bring to the field. As we strive to advance our work in growing and optimizing new materials for future technologies, we understand the importance of including diverse voices, including those of women, to ensure that our research reflects a broad range of experiences and insights. 

For this reason, PDI established a 2022-2025 Gender Equality Plan aimed at achieving a balanced gender ratio in PDI's employment groups by taking measures to attract more women to roles at the institute and providing support for our female colleagues. The goals of the plan are as follows:

• Improve access and promotion opportunities for women
• Support female employees' career advancement
• Be understanding and supportive of family commitments and work-life balance
• Counteract all forms of discrimination and disadvantage in the workplace
• Foster a working atmosphere characterized by mutual consideration, tolerance, and respect.

Read the Gleichstellungsplan 02/2022 — 12/2025 (original: German language) or the English translation: Equal Opportunity Plan 02/2022 — 12/2025.

Below you can find a list of Germany- and European-wide initiatives and resources designed to support women scientists in their careers.

• L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Programme
  The L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Programme seeks to recognize and support women researchers who are contributing to overcoming today's global challenges. The International Awards are presented every year to five outstanding women scientists – one per continent - in recognition of their scientific accomplishments. Each scientist has had a unique career path combining exceptional talent, a deep commitment to her profession and remarkable courage in a field still largely dominated by men. The scientific fields considered for the awards alternate every other year between Life Sciences (even years) and Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science (odd years). Read more.
   
• German Commission for UNESCO For Women in Science Germany
  For Women in Science Germany promotes four female early-career scientists working in Germany each year - with an award worth 25,000 Euros. In Germany, the partners are the German Commission for UNESCO, L'Oréal Deutschland and the German Humboldt Network. In an innovative tripartite partnership, these partners are committed to promoting excellent female scientists in German science. Read more.
   
• Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard-Foundation
  The grants of the CNV-Foundation aim to support female doctoral researchers or postdocs with children in the field of experimental natural sciences. The CNV-Foundation sponsors graduate students from the start of the second year of their thesis and as long as the project is still in its experimental stage. The funding amounts to €500 Euro per month and is granted for one year. The application deadline is annually on November 30th. Read more
   
• German Association of Women Academics – Funding Committee (Deutscher Akademikerinnenbund e. V. (DAB) – Förderausschuss)
  The DAB is the leading German academic organization by women for women. The association is committed to supporting female academics and students at home and abroad, and is committed to equal rights in family, career and politics. The funding committee supports female academics of all disciplines and acknowledges their achievements. This is realized by highlighting and promoting academically educated women who also serve as role models for the next generation of girls. The target group is female doctoral researchers or female young scientists and the annual deadlines are April 15 and October 15. They support by subsidizing expenses such as scientific publications in a German publisher, printing cost subsidy, and travel allowances for conferences and meetings. Read more (in German).
   
• European Prize for Women Innovators
  The European Prize for Women Innovators celebrates the women entrepreneurs behind Europe's most ground-breaking innovations. The prize awards women from across the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe, whose disruptive innovations are driving positive change for people and planet. There are three prize categories: The Women Innovators prize, awarded to the most talented women innovators from across the EU and Associated Countries; The Rising Innovators prize, awarded to promising young innovators under the age of 35; and the The EIT Women Leadership Award, awarded to exceptional women leaders from the EIT Community. Read more.
   
• Mathilde Planck teaching assignment program (MPL) 
  The Mathilde Planck teaching assignment program (MPL) is intended to increase the number of female professors by awarding more teaching assignments to female academics. Through teaching assignments, academics gain pedagogical experience and establish connections with universities. At the same time, the teaching assignments serve as proof of the appointment requirement “pedagogical suitability” when applying for professorships. The program finances teaching positions that are newly taken on by women in Baden-Württemberg. Read more.
   
• BMBF Professorinnenprogramm
  The federal and state governments have jointly developed the Female Professor Program / Professorinnenprogramm (PP) in order to increase the proportion of women in top academic positions at German universities. The aim of the funding program is to dynamically increase the number of female scientists in top positions in the scientific sector towards parity. The program works on two levels: It increases the number of female professors in Germany and strengthens the equality structures at universities through specific measures. The “Professor Program 2030”, the fourth program phase, started in 2023 and will run until 2030 with a total funding volume of 320 million euros. Read more.
   
• DFG Equity and Diversity
  DFG has developed an Equal Opportunities and Diversity Concept offering numerous measures to promote a research landscape that reflects diversity and equal opportunity. One particular focus is gender equality. The main goal of all equal opportunity work is to promote excellence in the science system. At the same time, these measures also increase the appeal of Germany as a center for the pursuit of science and the humanities, in particular for highly qualified academics in an early phase of their career. Such measures include the Standard Allowance for Gender Equality Measures, Career development measures, and support during family leave.