Brazilian research productivity fellows in physics and nursing under a gender lens: 17 years of data

Abstract

This article explores the gender scenario regarding proposal and concessions of a research productivity grant from a Brazilian funding agency (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq) in the fields of physics and nursing. Data for this investigation was provided by the funding agency and refers to the total number of grant proposals and concessions from 2005 to 2021. In the descriptive data analyses, the percentage of grant distribution in relation to the sex of the researchers was evaluated. The results revealed that, in physics, women are the minority in proposals and concessions with no significant evolution over time. On the other hand, in nursing, the percentage of proposals from men (the underrepresented group) increased, but the concessions did not follow the same trend. Based on the findings, it is concluded that underrepresented groups, whether women or men, remained in this position over the years, without significant changes.