Already ranked as the top European university in terms of the number of patent applications filed over the past 20 years, theUniversité Grenoble Alpes (UGA) reaffirms its leadership in innovation. In the latest study by the European Patent Office on the role of women in innovation, the university ranks first among European universities for the proportion of female doctoral students who filed patents during their doctoral studies (11%) and after completing their doctorate (10%). UGA also ranks among the top 5 European universities for the proportion of female doctoral students who have filed patents during their doctoral studies in the fields of mathematics, computer science, and physics.

Women Are Still Underrepresented in Technological Innovation

Published ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, the EPO study highlights the progress made but also the persistent inequalities in women’s participation in innovation activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). While women account for a growing share of doctoral graduates in these disciplines, they remain significantly underrepresented among inventors, founders of deep-tech startups, and professionals in the patent system.

The Key Role of Universities in Unlocking the Potential of Women Innovators

In this context, the results obtained by theUniversité Grenoble Alpes illustrate the crucial role that higher education and research institutions can play in promoting women’s access to innovation and technology transfer activities. In fact, this study ranks French universities among the top-performing institutions in Europe in terms of patents filed by women during and after their doctoral studies. By encouraging female doctoral students to capitalize on their research through patent filings and collaborations with industry and business partners, universities are helping to foster a new generation of female inventors and innovators.

This European result is finally in line with the implementation at theUniversité Grenoble Alpes of a robust and effective policy aimed at reducing gender inequality, particularly in scientific careers. As a result, between 2021 and 2025, the proportion of women promoted to the rank of university professor increased by more than 25%.