In a move towards gender parity, many countries are making large strides in providing grants and scholarships for women in STEM fields. However, despite the good intentions behind these initiatives, the success of these grants can be complicated. A study from the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) found that while these grants can provide access to educational opportunities for women, they can also come with a lot of extra work and expectations.

The researchers found that in some cases, female recipients of these grants had to prove their leadership potential, demonstrate a commitment to community service, or take on extra tasks to maintain their grant. This can add an extra burden to those already juggling coursework and research, and can make it difficult for women to keep up with their studies.

The researchers point out that the success of these educational grants depends on the support structures in place. Without the right guidance and resources, these grants can be too difficult for many women to take advantage of.

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source: Phys.org