Skip to main content
EURAXESS

HRS4R

Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R)

 

 

 

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers

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 HRS4R Technical Guidelines for Institutions.pdf

Download the hrs4r_procedure_flow_slide.pptx

 

706  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.

If you wish to apply for the HR Award please view the instructions displayed in the Initial Phase tab in this page.

If you are in the Implementation/Award renewal phase please view the instructions displayed in the Implementation & Award renewal tab in this page.

 

 

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

untitled_design_5

Call for new peer reviewers for the UK process of the HR Excellence in Research Award

Vitae, who manage the UK process for the HR Excellence in Research Award (HRS4R), has just opened a call for new peer reviewers. Applications are encouraged from applicants both in and out of the UK, and non-UK European reviewers are especially sought to ensure comparability with HRS4R. If you would
HR Award Logo

New Technical Guidelines for Institutions

The Technical Guidelines for Institutions on the application to the HR Logo process and the use of the e-tool have been updated. The new version of the Technical Guidelines feature a revised structure compiled in a single document and additional information to facilitate the application process for
hr_01

HRS4R and COVID-19: Message to institutions

Due to exceptional circumstances linked to COVID19, processing of HRS4R applications might suffer additional delays. Moreover, in the context of extraordinary measures taken at national level (e.g. universities or other institutions closed), all self-assessment deadlines between 15 March and 30 May
equalist

Webinar: Promotion of Gender Equality at EURAXESS and EQUAL-IST

Date and time: 28 February 2019 - 11:00 CET (Duration: 1:40’) Venue: Online Free registration Book your place here! Contact: info@equal-ist.eu European Research Area (ERA) objectives on gender equality have stressed the importance of promoting the results of the European Union (EU) projects that

 

 

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 HRS4R Technical Guidelines for Institutions.pdf

 

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 shall 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 toRTD-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 HRS4R Technical Guidelines for Institutions.pdf .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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