Monitoring of ERA priority 4 implementation – update and final assessment. GENDERACTION D3.3

European Research Area (ERA) Priority 4 focuses on gender equality and gender mainstreaming in research and innovation. The objective is to foster scientific excellence and a breadth of research approaches by fully utilising gender diversity and equality and avoiding an indefensible waste of talent. Within their National Action Plans (NAPs), European Union Member States are asked to develop policies which address gender imbalances particularly at senior levels and in decision making and which strengthen the gender dimension in research. Member States and Associated Countries should initiate gender equality policies in research performing organisations (RPOs) and research funding organisations (RFOs). They should also monitor the effectiveness of such policies on a regular basis and adjust measures as necessary. The report benchmarks the implementation of Priority 4 in national ERA roadmaps or NAPs, identifies best practices in national legal and policy environments which support progress towards achieving Priority 4. Based on the assessment of the NAPs and their results recommendations for a new ERA are formulated.