EDI tiebreak

An EDI ‘tiebreak’ is a secondary criteria used in the case of identically ranked or scored proposals/applications, for which an EDI element is used as a tie-breaking measure.
Level 0
Aim: Inclusivity
Aim: Bias mitigation
Aim: Diversity
CoARA Commitment 1
CoARA Commitment 6
Target: Funder
Target: Academic institution
Target: Scholarly association
Target: Research group
Contributor

Experiments in Assessment WG

Publication date

April 9, 2026

Updated

April 20, 2026

WarningObjectives and potential outcome

Research domains

Context and considerations

EDI tiebreaks are often used as secondary criteria in the case of indentically ranked or scored proposals/applications, using EDI as a tie-breaking measure.

Challenges and mitigations

Evaluating success

Relevant resources and literature

This section includes resources, literature, and reports relevant to this specific experimental idea (where available).

Templates from funders and institutions

Case examples and literature

Research Ireland implements a gender tie-breaker criterion in Frontiers for the Future (FFP) to prioritise applicants who identify as women when scores/rankings are identical. The recently published dashboard supports the positive impact of gender initiatives introduced into programmes such as the Frontiers for the Future Programme (FFP), and the Research Ireland Pathway programmes, on improving the overall representation of women applicants and grant holders in these programmes. An objective under the organisations EDI Strategy is to establish the strength of an EDI plan as a tie-breaker with applications submitted under competitive funding programmes awarding grants of scale.

Other resources

Yohanna Juk, Sergio Salles-Filho, Karen E. F. Pinto, Ana Carolina Spatti, Evandro Coggo Cristofoletti, Gabriela Araujo Tetzner, and Emily Campgnolli (2023) Diversity, equity and inclusion: how funding agencies are addressing inequalities in research, 27th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI 2023), doi.org/10.55835/6442ffc28264b1bf681c48ce.

Case Studies or Implementation Examples