HR Excellence in Research
The "HR Excellence in Research" Award is a quality distinction granted by the European Commission.
In December 2014, IRBLleida was awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" Award by the European Commission. This distinction recognises research-performing organisations that demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and to continuously improving their human resources policies and practices, including recruitment, working conditions and researchers' career development.
The European Charter for Researchers establishes a common framework of principles concerning the rights and responsibilities of researchers, employers, funders and policymakers. Its objective is to contribute to the development of attractive and sustainable research careers and to create an environment that supports the generation, transfer, sharing and dissemination of knowledge, while promoting the professional development of researchers.
The Charter comprises 20 key principles, structured around four pillars: Ethics, Integrity, Gender and Open Science; Researchers' Assessment, Recruitment and Progression; Working Conditions and Practices; and Research Careers and Talent Development. Among other aspects, it promotes fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment and assessment processes that recognise the diversity of researchers' activities and contributions, including research outputs, teaching, supervision, mentoring, teamwork, knowledge transfer, management, open science and engagement with society.
In 2005, the European Commission adopted the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, commonly known as the "Charter & Code". IRBLleida endorsed this framework in 2010. In 2023, the Council of the European Union adopted a revised European Charter for Researchers, updating and consolidating the former Charter & Code into a single framework adapted to the current European research landscape.
In accordance with its commitment to these principles and with the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), IRBLleida developed a human resources strategy for researchers and incorporated it into an Action Plan. Through this strategy, IRBLleida undertakes to continuously review and improve its policies and practices in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the requirements of the "HR Excellence in Research" Award.