A fundamental step for strengthening the European Research Area: last 18 December 2023, the Council formally adopted the Council Recommendation on a framework for research careers, including a new Charter for Researchers.
With this Council Recommendation and the new Charter for Researchers annexed to it, researchers at all career stages can expect better working conditions, equality and inclusiveness, a limited use of fixed-term contracts, skills allowing seamless mobility between sectors and therefore more career opportunities, a reformed assessment system that takes into consideration the real impact of their activities, practices and outputs, rather than just publications, and much more. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) will from now on be based on the new Charter for Researchers.
“With this act – says Diana Morant Ripoll, Spanish Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities - we are setting up standards that will guide Member States, research organisations, funders and stakeholders in increasing stability and attractiveness of research careers in Europe. To reach this goal we need to better coordinate our national policies on Research and Innovation; and we also need to involve all talented researchers, regardless of gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, socioeconomic origin or any other circumstances by effectively addressing persisting inequalities in research careers.”
The recommendation aims at retaining talented researchers in the Union, and at making Europe an attractive destination for research talents from around the world. It revisits the definition of ‘researcher’ and the description of the activities that researchers undertake, ensuring that it encompasses the widest range of career options. It seeks to promote inter-sectorial and interdisciplinary careers, entrepreneurship and innovation by properly acknowledging the relevance of all the different career paths for researchers, including academia, business, public administration, or the non-profit sector.
Read more here.