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CORDIS

Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials

Project description

Making clinical trials work for everyone

Clinical trials shape modern medicine. That is why it is crucial to ensure that no population is left out. Unfortunately, a lack of diversity in trial participants risks skewed data and inequitable outcomes. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the EDICT project aims to insert equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into the heart of clinical research. Through a dynamic doctoral network, EDICT will train researchers to redesign how trials are planned, conducted, and assessed. Drawing on expertise from academia, industry, patient advocacy, and policy, the project plans to deliver practical tools, from bias-detecting AI to inclusive consent processes. The goal is to create a future in which clinical trials truly reflect the populations they aim to serve.

Objective

“Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Clinical Trials” (EDICT) establishes an innovative Doctoral Network to transform how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles are embedded in clinical trials across Europe. While clinical trials are essential for advancing medical knowledge, systematic exclusion of diverse populations undermines scientific validity and limits healthcare impact.

EDICT will train the next generation of research leaders, equipped with specialised methodological expertise and practical skills to transform how clinical trials are designed and conducted, ensuring meaningful representation of diverse populations.

Leveraging expertise from multiple sectors—including academia, the pharmaceutical and MedTech industries, patient advocacy, regulatory bodies, trial networks, science communication, and evidence production—EDICT will support 16 (14 EU; 2 Swiss) doctoral candidates in developing solutions that enhance recruitment, improve data inclusivity, and ensure that trial outcomes are representative of broader population needs. The network will deliver concrete EDI innovations, including standardised metrics for measuring trial diversity, AI-powered tools for detecting recruitment bias, culturally-adapted consent processes, and implementation frameworks. These outputs will transform how EDI is implemented across the clinical trials ecosystem.

Through structured mobility between interdisciplinary academic, industry and policy environments, doctoral candidates will develop comprehensive expertise across four key domains: standardised measurement of trial diversity, innovative EDI methodologies, practical implementation tools, and frameworks for systemic change.

EDICT will establish a permanent network of EDI champions, driving sustainable improvement in clinical trial inclusivity while advancing Europe's capacity to conduct equitable, representative, and scientifically robust health research.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY
Net EU contribution
€ 1 023 261,12
Address
UNIVERSITY ROAD
H91 Galway
Ireland
Region
Ireland Northern and Western West
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
No data

Participants (5)

Partners (20)