We summarize below analyses of how gender approaches were applied in three different CIMMYT projects in Africa and Asia. In particular, we examine the differing interpretations of “gender” by scientists, staff and participants and how each interpretation affected interventions, strategies and project outcomes. We also show what happened as the understanding of gender and related concepts evolved over each project, why, and to what effect. And finally, we present lessons to inform future gender-responsive, gender-transformative research-for-development.