CNC is fully committed to the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter&Code). By engaging in the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) process, CNC seeks to foster a supportive, open, and inclusive research environment that values career development, working conditions, and fair recruitment for all researchers.
CNC endorsed the Charter and Code in 2014 and has since made gradual progress in embedding their principles across the institution. In 2025, CNC took a further step by formally applying for the HR Excellence in Research Award (Case number: 2025PT336606).
The HRS4R initiative, launched by the European Commission, helps research institutions improve their HR policies and practices, ensuring transparent recruitment, professional development, and a positive research culture.
Applying for the HR Excellence in Research Award involves a structured and collaborative process:
1. Internal Gap Analysis – CNC assessed its current policies and practices against the Charter & Code, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
2. Action Plan Development – Based on the Gap Analysis, CNC designed a tailored Action Plan to address identified gaps and enhance HR strategies.
3. Submission to the European Commission – The Gap Analysis and Action Plan were submitted to the EC as part of CNC’s application.
4. Evaluation by External Experts – Independent experts, appointed by the EC, are reviewing CNC’s submission.
5. Implementation and Continuous Improvement – Once the award is granted, CNC will implement the Action Plan and monitor progress through periodic reviews.
To ensure an inclusive and transparent process, CNC established two groups:
- The Working Group – acting as the main steering committee, composed of the Director of CNC, the Head of the Human Resources Office, CNC’s Legal Expert, the Head of the Financing and Project Management Office, and the DYNABrain ERA-Chair holder and Project Manager. This group led the process, conducted the Gap Analysis, and coordinated preparation of the Action Plan.
- The Consulting Group – composed of researchers at all career stages (R1 to R4) and heads of relevant offices and infrastructures at CNC. This group provided essential feedback on the Gap Analysis, compliance with OTM-R (Open, Transparent, Merit-Based Recruitment), and the Action Plan.
This collaborative structure ensures that HRS4R implementation at CNC is grounded in both strategic leadership and the lived experiences of our research community.
Through this application, CNC demonstrates its long-term commitment to the Charter & Code. If successful, CNC will be granted the “HR Excellence in Research” Award, joining the community of European institutions recognized for their commitment to researcher-friendly policies.
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