RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Selecting Talent: Gender Differences in Success in Competitive Selection Processes JF Journal of Human Resources JO J Hum Resour FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 0320-10767R1 DO 10.3368/jhr.0320-10767R1 A1 Lídia Farré A1 Francesc Ortega YR 2021 UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2021/08/02/jhr.0320-10767R1.abstract AB We investigate whether competitive selection processes generate gender inequality in the context of a prestigious fellowship program in Spain. We find a clear pattern of gender balancing: in each field of study, reviewers give higher scores to observationally similar candidates of the minority gender. Because, except for STEM, all fields are female-dominated, this results in a female penalty. We also show that gender balancing arises in the first stage of the selection process, where reviewers assign quantitative scores to all applications. Our findings suggest that reviewers have a preference for gender equality in outcomes within their field.