Success across the board for Mainz University of Applied Sciences: With its gender equality concept in academia and research, Mainz University of Applied Sciences is one of 56 universities nationwide that were selected for funding in the second round of the Program for Women Professors 2030. Mainz University of Applied Sciences was also awarded the title of “University with Strong Gender Equality” (Gleichstellungsstarke Hochschule) for its strong gender equality concept, making it one of twelve universities across Germany, including five universities of applied sciences, that have now received this special recognition. It is currently the only university in Rhineland-Palatinate to have been awarded this distinction.
Currently the only university in Rhineland-Palatinate with the title “University with strong gender equality”
“Being chosen for this funding is a great success for Mainz University of Applied Sciences and the work of our equal opportunities team. A fundamental cultural change is essential to promoting equal opportunities in research and academia. With the funding and the award for strong equal opportunities, our university has been confirmed and reinforced in its ongoing expansion of supporting structures. This enables us to decisively advance this cultural change on the path to greater gender equality. The doors of Mainz University of Applied Sciences are open to women who want to strengthen research and academia,” says Prof. Dr. Susanne Weissman, President of Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
“As a result of our successful participation, Mainz University of Applied Sciences can now apply for start-up funding for up to three first-time women professors for a period of up to five years each. Thanks to the distinction we have been awarded, we are not only able to increase the advancement and visibility of first-time women professors, but also provide targeted support for a junior woman researcher,” explains Professor Katharina Dahm, Central Equal Opportunities Officer at Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
On February 20, 2025, an external independent review panel evaluated 67 gender equality concepts aimed at achieving university parity in the second round of the Program for Women Professors 2030, according to a press release (in German) from the Joint Science Conference (GWK). A total of 56 universities were ultimately able to convince the committee with their equality policy goals, structures, and measures, and were selected for funding. In Rhineland-Palatinate, in addition to Mainz University of Applied Sciences, these include Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences and the University of Koblenz and the University of Trier. The maximum amount of funding for Mainz University of Applied Sciences is €2,475,000 per professorship and €475,000 for the additional position of a (junior) woman scientist on the way to becoming a professor—all of which is funded 50/50 by the federal and state governments.
DThe gender equality activities at Mainz University of Applied Sciences with the aim of “More women in science” already include numerous measures: The “fem.prom” doctoral scholarship, which provides financial support for women during their doctoral studies, was launched. With “fem.prof”, young women scientists receive support to enable them to meet the requirements for applying for a university of applied sciences professorship. There is also an annual “University of Applied Sciences Professor Career Path” event and mentoring for women graduates, and women lecturers can be funded under the Mary Somerville program. On International Women's Day 2025, an exhibition on women professors at Mainz University of Applied Sciences will open in the university library to increase their visibility. A family-friendly university environment is being further expanded and a non-discriminatory learning and working environment characterized by diversity is being created to further increase the attractiveness of academia at Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
