The Council of the European Union recommends revising the European Charter for Researchers

On 29 December, the Council of the European Union published a Recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talent in Europe, including a revision of the European Charter for Researchers. The document reviews progress made and part of the legal framework that has guided the development of research human-resources policies at European level, while emphasising the need to create a better environment for attracting and retaining research talent.

It also highlights the need for greater intersectoral mobility and for a better environment for innovation and entrepreneurship as immediate challenges. To address these, it calls, among other measures, for stronger recognition of research management and research technician careers, supported by greater analysis and harmonisation at Union level.

The proposals also include the creation of a research careers observatory. The Recommendation refers to changes already being implemented, such as the creation of the ERA Talent Platform as a single online access point for services, the network and the EURAXESS portals, including the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), as well as RESAVER. It also mentions the launch of the ERA4You initiative to promote talent circulation between sectors and across the EU, together with the exchange of good practices on research and innovation systems to support balanced talent circulation.

In Annex II, the Recommendation proposes a revision of the European Charter for Researchers and encourages its adoption within the HRS4R framework. It consists of twenty key principles grouped into the following four pillars:

1. Ethics, integrity, gender and open science;

2. Researchers’ assessment, recruitment and career progression;

3. Working conditions and practices;

4. Research careers and talent development.

The full document can be read in Spanish at this link.