HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGY FOR RESEARCHERS (HRS4R)

The European Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, also known as HRS4R, guides research institutions and funding bodies in the implementation of the Charter and Code in their policies and practices.

The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct (C&C) for the Recruitment of Researchers is a set of general principles and requirements that specify the roles, responsibilities and rights of researchers as well as those of employers and/or funders.

The 40 principles of the C&C are grouped into 4 pillars to enable institutions to analyze their practices and present an action plan in the context of the HRS4R:

• Ethical and professional aspects
• Recruitment and selection
• Working conditions and social security
• Training and development

The European Commission awards the “HR Excellence in Research Award” to institutions that make progress in aligning their human resources policies with the principles of the Charter and the Code, based on a personalized HR strategy/action plan.

The European Commission requires institutions that have been awarded the label to be audited every three years to check the progress of their action plan.

UMONS was awarded the label for the first time in 2011 and again in 2018. Following a new evaluation process, the HR Excellence in Research Award was renewed in October 2021.

---

---