HR Excellence in Research

HR Excellence in Research Award

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is a European Commission framework designed to support research-performing organisations in developing attractive, supportive and high-quality working environments for researchers. It provides a structured approach for aligning institutional policies and practices with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers.

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 committed to the HRS4R process in 2019, an initiative led by the European Commission.

This commitment led to the award, in 2021, of the “HR Excellence in Research” Award, which recognises institutions committed to the continuous improvement of their policies and practices in the areas of researcher recruitment, working conditions and researchers’ career development.

The HRS4R strategy is based on the principles of the https://www.uniud.it/it/ricerca/carta-europea-ricercatori-uniud/cer-cc/documenti/european-charter-for-researchers-ki0125148enn.pdf, adopted by the European Commission in 2005 and revised in 2023.

The European Charter for Researchers constitutes the reference framework for European policy on research careers. It defines the rights, responsibilities and expectations of researchers, as well as those of their employers and funders. Its objective is to promote a research environment conducive to the creation, sharing, dissemination and valorisation of knowledge, while supporting the professional development of researchers. It encourages different forms of mobility, whether geographical, sectoral or interdisciplinary, which contribute to enriching career paths and developing skills.

The Charter is now structured around 20 principles, grouped into four pillars:

1. Ethics, research integrity, gender equality and open science.
2. Researchers’ assessment, recruitment and career progression.
3. Working conditions and practices.
4. Research careers and talent development.

The process of obtaining and maintaining the HR Excellence in Research Award is supported by a series of actions undertaken at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1. The main stages of the HRS4R process are presented below in chronological order.

Steps towards obtaining and maintaining the “HR Excellence in Research” Award

The HR Excellence in Research Award is based on a structured and progressive process aimed at sustainably integrating the principles of the European Charter for Researchers into the institution’s policies, practices and governance.

This process is structured around the following key stages:

1. Formalised institutional commitment

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 formally joined the HRS4R process by submitting a letter of commitment to the European Commission in 2019.

2. Gap Analysis

The University conducted a comprehensive assessment of its human resources practices against the principles of the European Charter for Researchers. This analysis incorporated feedback from researchers and relevant stakeholders in order to identify the main areas for improvement.

3. Development of an Action Plan

Based on this analysis, the University developed a detailed HRS4R Action Plan aimed at strengthening support for researchers, improving recruitment processes and fostering career development within an attractive and inclusive working environment.

4. Submission and assessment

The Gap Analysis and Action Plan were submitted to the European Commission. Following this assessment, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 obtained the “HR Excellence in Research Award” in 2021.

5. Implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement

Since obtaining the Award, the University has continued to implement its Action Plan and regularly monitors the actions undertaken. The process includes stages of assessment and review designed to monitor progress, identify new areas for improvement and ensure the sustainable integration of the HRS4R strategy into the institution’s policies and practices.

The Benefits of the “HR Excellence in Research” Award

Since obtaining the HR Excellence in Research Award in 2021, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 has benefited from a framework for strengthening and developing its human resources policy in support of researchers. The implementation of the HRS4R strategy contributes in particular to:

• Strengthening the institution’s attractiveness and visibility among researchers, teacher-researchers and international partners;

• Improving the working environment and research conditions, by promoting transparent, fair and responsible practices;

• Supporting researchers’ career development, including through training, mobility and professional development opportunities;

• Improving the research environment, by aligning institutional practices with European standards and promoting a fairer and more supportive working environment for researchers;

• Promoting good recruitment practices, in accordance with the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R);

• Strengthening the University’s European positioning, particularly in relation to research funding programmes such as Horizon Europe;

• Fostering national and international collaboration, through integration into a network of institutions committed to the HRS4R process.

A Participatory Approach

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 actively involves its research community in the implementation of the HRS4R strategy.

Through surveys, working groups, workshops and consultations, researchers at all stages of their careers are invited to contribute to the identification of needs and the definition of improvement measures.

This participatory approach ensures that the HRS4R process remains aligned with the expectations of the scientific community and with the institution’s strategic objectives.

Timeline

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 obtained the HR Excellence in Research Award in 2021, marking its commitment to a human resources policy aligned with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers.

In May 2023, the European Commission granted an extension for the submission of the Interim Assessment Report.

The Interim Assessment Report was submitted in April 2026. The institution is currently awaiting feedback from the European Commission in order to continue implementing its HRS4R strategy and further embed the HRS4R strategy within its human resources policy.

Documents and Resources

To support its research community in implementing the HRS4R strategy, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 provides the following documents and resources:

• European Charter for Researchers
• HRS4R Report 2020 (self-assessment report)
• HRS4R Action Plan
• Implementation status of the HR Excellence in Research Action Plan, 2020–2024
• Université Lyon 1 OTM-R Charter, currently under development