HRS4R

Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R)

 

 

 

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers

Important message to institutions:

Site Visits: All HRS4R in-house audits planned for 2021 will be conducted remotely with the consent of the host institution. Should your institution be at renewal stage, once you submit your self-assessment online via the e-tool, the EC will be in contact with you to set a date for the remote visit together with a panel of independent experts. Should the institution prefer a classic on-site visit, the audit will be postponed. Meanwhile, institutions involved in the process can continue using the HR Excellence in research award.

The ‘HR Strategy for Researchers’ supports research institutions and funding organisations in the implementation of the Charter & Code in their policies and practices.

The implementation of the Charter & Code principles by research institutions render them more attractive to researchers looking for a new employer or for a host for their research project.

The European Commission recognises with the 'HR Excellence in Research Award' the institutions which make progress in aligning their human resources policies to the 40 principles of the Charter & Code, based on a customized action plan/HR strategy.

 

Download the Technical Guidelines for Institutions (2.88 MB)

Download the HRS4R procedure chart (52.79 KB)

 

639 organisations have received the HR Excellence in Research award.

The "HR Excellence in Research" award gives public recognition to research institutions that have made progress in aligning their human resource policies with the principles set out in the "Charter & Code". Institutions that have been awarded the right to use the icon can use it to highlight their commitment to implement fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures for researchers.

Willing to apply for the HR Award?

Are you in the implementation/Award renewal phase?

 

 

Visit the Policy Library:

  • Brochures

    Download brochures about the HRS4R in multiple languages

    Brochures

  • Documents

    Find additional documentation and templates on the HR Strategy process.

    Strengthened HRS4R process

 

Special information for UK institutions

UK institutions entering the process as newcomers, or switching from ‘The Concordat’ to the HR implementation via the European HRS4R.

Submitting your applications to HRS4R assessment will commit you to implementation under the rules of the strengthened procedure and assessment by international peer reviewers.

 

 

 

 

Dashboard

HRS4R in figures

Find out what are institutions which have most recently been awarded, navigate a map to locate the recognised organisations and see the latest figures about the implementation of the HR Strategy for Researchers in Europe.

 

ACCESS THE DASHBOARD

 

HRS4R Events & News

Image of (700769) HRS4R Info day 2021
23/11/2021 - 23/11/2021
Belgium, Brussels
This virtual HRS4R Info Day aims at promoting and increasing the awareness and implementation of the Charter&Code and HRS4R across...
Image of (571558) HR Strategy for Researchers - Virtual Info Day
17/11/2020 - 17/11/2020
Belgium, Brusels
The HRS4R Info Day took place as a virtual event on 17 November . The HRS4R Info Day aims at...
Image of (236899) Raising perspectives for talented researchers by institutions implementing the Human Resources Strategy (HRS4R) & Complying with art. 32 of the H2020 multi-beneficiary grant agreement
24/10/2017 - 24/10/2017
Belgium, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode (Brussels)
This event addresses all beneficiaries and potential applicants of H2020 contracts/projects who need to comply with article 32 stipulating the...
Image of (125913) How to attract best talented researchers
25/04/2017 - 25/04/2017
North Macedonia, Skopje
The purpose of this regional workshop is to fully inform ‘newcomers’ (research performing institutions and research funders) on the principles...

 

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Stay up-to-date on HRS4R!

Do you wish to stay up to date on HRS4R? Subscribe below to receive notification updates such as new HRS4R related published information, news, events, uploaded documents, brochures etc.

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HRS4R New Application Modalities

 

Please note that as of 15 May 2018, ALL institutions interested to initiate the application for the "HR Excellence in Research Award" shall use the HRS4R E-tool - the European Commission's official platform, facilitating the management of the HRS4R process.

Enrolment in the HRS4R is voluntary and non-binding.

HRS4R implies a long-term commitment throughout many years, including joint efforts and coordination with various internal and external stakeholders. It is nevertheless a rewarding process as it ensures institution's transition from progress to quality, in terms of the implementation of the 40 principles of the Charter and Code.

For detailed information regarding the application process, please consult the technical guidelines below. Further questions should be addressed to the functional mailbox RTD-CHARTER@ec.europa.eu

 

Download the Technical Guidelines Assessors HRS4R (2.88 MB) .

 

The outcome of the assessment is officially announced via email (the email address provided as contact when completing the first step of the application process). Experts' comments and recommendations can be found in the detailed consensus report which can be found in the HRS4R Admin's dashboard.  

From this moment on, the institution can use the "HR Excellence in Research" emblem associated to its name on the institution's website, on social media, on marketing materials and collaterals, etc. in order to promote its stimulating and favourable work environment for researchers. The HR Excellence in Research emblem, together with the branding guidelines can be downloaded from the HRS4R Admin's dashboard at any time.

As a EURAXESS member institution, the award emblem will be activated on the EURAXESS portal as well. Every time the institution will publish a vacancy on EURAXESS, the "HR Excellence in Research" icon will appear next to its name.

The institution will be also listed on the EURAXESS portal under the header of "HR Acknowledged Institutions" together with a link to your HR Strategy published on the institution's website.

 

 

 

 

 

After the “HR Excellence in Research Award” is granted, the participating institution must document progress and quality of the actions and accompanying measures (such as embedding the HRS4R process into their current policies and practices).  

The institution must submit to the European Commission an Internal Review on how its Action Plan has been implemented. The first Internal Review must take place within 24 months after the award was acknowledged (for Interim Assessment). The second Internal Review will be performed within 36 months after the outcome of the Interim Assessment. The HRS4R process will continue in a cyclical way, with new Internal Reviews every 36 months for Award Renewal (alternating the organisation of site visits).

Starting 20 September 2018, ALL institutions enrolled in the Implementation and Award Renewal processes of the HRS4R procedure can use the HRS4R e-tool for reporting purposes. 

 

What phase is your institution in?

Check the specific process flows for details about responsibilities and timelines.

 

 

 

 

Preparing the Internal Review for the Implementation or Award Renewal Phase?

Secure your access to the HRS4R e-Tool.

The purpose of the Internal Review is two-fold. It allows the participating institutions to assess own activity and report on the status of achievement for each of the actions previously planned, alter actions or timing of actions if necessary, also to create new actions for the upcoming years.

If the deadline for the Internal Review is approaching (at least 3 months before), the institution should contact RTD-Charter@ec.europa.eu for assistance regarding access to the HRS4R e-tool and online management of the reporting process.

You will receive assistance from the RTD CHARTER team at the European Commission in order to have a smooth and quick transition of your institution’s application files from paper to digital, in the HRS4R e-Tool.  Whenever you encounter difficulties throughout the process, you can send an email for clarifications to RTD-CHARTER@ec.europa.eu.

When sending an email to RTD Charter, please make sure you mention the full name of your institution, country, case number in the HRS4R e-Tool (if applicable), contact person and the exact stage in the HRS4R process.

In order to access the HRS4R e-Tool, interested institution needs an organisation account on EURAXESS. Registration and membership are free of charge.

The institution has to assign a contact person to be granted the role of HRS4R Organisation Administrator (Admin). Only this designated person will have access to the HRS4R e-tool to upload data and to be the interface with the European Commission, on behalf of the institution, regarding the HRS4R process.

Please note that in order to be granted the HRS4R Admin role, your organisation should be first registered as an EURAXESS member. The following rules also apply:

  • The domain of your email must be in the URL of the organisation.
  • Only one user per organisation can be granted the role.

Request the role of HRS4R Admin using the button below:

HRS4R ORGANISATION ADMIN

Should you need to update the HRS4R contact person in the e-tool due to changes in your organisation, please contact the technical helpdesk: support@euraxess.org, with the name, role, e-mail address and telephone number of the new contact person.

 

You can find step-by-step details on how to perform the above on the HRS4R webpage or in the Technical Guidelines for Institutions (2.88 MB) .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

e-learning

HRS4R e-learning module

The HRS4R e-learning module is a video-tutorial with step-by-step technical instructions for organisations on the application process to the HR Award, as well as the steps to pursue for the implementation and award renewal phases. It also includes background information about the Charter & Code, the endorsement procedure, the benefits of obtaining the HR logo, the timeframe for submissions, and much more.

The HRS4R e-learning module complements the Technical Guidelines with visual content and explanation

Access the e-learning module for organisations