Dear Colleagues,

For the past three years, the European Platform of Women Scientists EPWS has networked the networks of women in science in Europe into the Voice of Women Scientists in EU Research Policy: More than 100 networks of women scientists and organizations working for the promotion of equal opportunities in research from 39 countries have joined the association, reaching out to more than 12.000 women researchers.

Through numerous position papers and inputs to public consultations on FP7, the European Research Area, the European Research Council, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, and other relevant issues the voice of women scientists has been inserted into the EU research policy debate (see here for a complete list of policy reports).

Women researchers and their supporters have actively participated in EPWS conferences, workshops, round tables and other initiatives. The EPWS Newsletter and News Alerts actively communicated latest developments in EU policy, the activities of the community, and up-date calls for papers, experts, collaboration partners and constitute one of the primary sources for targeted information on women and science in Europe.

The voice of women scientists in Europe has not remained unheared and continues to be solicited to a steadily increasing extent: EPWS has a seat on the European Commission’s Network of Women in Decision Making Politics and the Economy (initiated by DG Employment and Social Affairs), the former EPWS President sits on the European Research Area Board (ERAB) (initiated by the EU Commissioner for Research).

EPWS has guest status at the European Science Foundation’s (ESF) Member Organisation Forum on Research Careers, and is member of the European Forum on Philanthropy and Research Funding run by European Commission in collaboration with the European Foundation Centre (EFC).

The Platform is in regular contact with members of the European Parliament and members of the Helsinki Group on Women and Science (a Commission Group composed of national civil servants) as well as several policy think tanks in Brussels.

Yet, in spite of its successful performance, increasing impact, high visibility at European level, and the acknowledged necessity of its work, the Platform is facing a tight financial situation that puts the very existence of the EPWS Secretariat in Brussels at stake:

If EPWS fails to raise an additional 200.000 € within the next three months, the Platform will be forced to close-down its Secretariat in Brussels and continue solely on voluntary work by its members.

Initially funded by the European Commission as an FP6 Specific Support Action, since November 2008, the Platform has to secure its own financial resources.
EPWS needs to not only cover the costs for office rent and office administration including the necessary personnel (running costs) of the association and the EPWS Secretariat in Brussels but also to co-finance and pre-finance grant funded projects. Due to the precarious state of funding of most EPWS member networks themselves, it is not possible to cover these costs based on EPWS membership fees and contributions. Also, overheads of grant funded projects can only contribute a small fraction to the running costs of the Platform.

Closing-down the EPWS Secretariat in Brussels would severely curtail the Platform’s activities. EPWS therefore needs the immediate and personal commitment of every individual – member or sponsor.

Make a difference! Help us keep up the Platform’s high level of visibility, professionalism and impact at European level!

Donate one hourly wage to EPWS!

The donation of one hourly wage by each of the 12.000 women scientists, whom EPWS works for, would enable the Platform to continue its successful activities. It would also be an impressive sign of support by the community and encourage more financially strong sponsors to support EPWS.

Give EPWS the chance to further expand its membership and continue to empower women scientists all over Europe!

Give EPWS the chance to have a long-lasting, enduring impact on European Research Policy!

Prevent the waste of public and private financial resources and hours of voluntary commitment deployed in the creation of the Platform!

For online donations, please click here:

For Bank Transfers, please click here

Also, feel free to pass this information to other individuals who you think might be interested in the activities of EPWS and willing to support the Platform financially.

The delegates of the EPWS General Assembly 2009 and participants of the EPWS Annual Conference 2009 have also signed a resolution on this subject, which can be found and signed here

Thank you for your support!

Dr. Brigitte Mühlenbruch
EPWS President

Dr. Maren Jochimsen
EPWS Secretary General

Contact: maren.jochimsen [at] epws [dot] org

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