• Navarrabiomed’s Cross-Cutting Area for an Inclusive Gender Dimension in R&I has become one of only six initiatives recognised in Spain and the first from Navarre to receive this distinction.

The Cross-Cutting Area for an Inclusive Gender Dimension in Research and Innovation (R&I) at Navarrabiomed has been selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an example of good practice in Open and Inclusive Science. This recognition means that the initiative has been incorporated into UNESCO’s global repository of best practices, which identifies and showcases outstanding actions that promote a more inclusive, diverse and accessible approach to science.

Navarrabiomed’s candidature was added to the UNESCO repository in October 2026 under the specific action area “Gender Equality in Science”, which highlights leading initiatives that advance policies and actions promoting gender equality, inclusion and equity within the scientific community.

This milestone places Navarrabiomed on the international map of institutions committed to a more open and inclusive scientific culture. It is one of only six recognised initiatives in Spain and the first from the Chartered Community of Navarre to be included in the repository. It also provides a strategic opportunity to increase the visibility of the centre’s work in this field and reinforces the commitment of its professionals to scientific excellence that improves health and quality of life through an inclusive and equitable approach.

Commitment to more inclusive research with greater social impact

The inclusion of the Area in the UNESCO repository is part of the global initiative “Closing the Gender Gap in Science”, launched by UNESCO in February 2024 on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Through this initiative, UNESCO collects and disseminates experiences that contribute to the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science (2021) and the 2024 Call to Action to Close the Gender Gap in Science. The work carried out at Navarrabiomed has helped promote the integration of sex, gender and intersectionality perspectives into biomedical research content and processes, fostering the generation of knowledge that is more rigorous, representative and responsive to the needs of the entire population.

New opportunities for international collaboration

Beyond its institutional significance, inclusion in the UNESCO repository opens up new opportunities for collaboration with research teams and organisations from different countries working in the fields of gender equality and inclusion in science. Participation in these international networks will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices, enabling Navarrabiomed to continue advancing towards research and healthcare that are more precise, responsible and responsive to the diversity of society.

With this distinction, the centre strengthens its position as a leading institution in the integration of gender perspectives and inclusion in biomedical research, reinforcing its contribution to science with greater social impact and aligned with global challenges related to equity and innovation.