The European Commission (EC) has made a Recommendation to the European Council to establish a new European framework for research careers. The Framework also includes a new version of the Charter for the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
This set of measures is intended to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA), and to ultimately make ERA more resilient, appealing, and competitive. The Framework and the new Charter will contribute to promoting attractive and sustainable research careers, one of the actions foreseen in the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024.
European Council Recommendation
As part of the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024, the EC aims to strengthen research careers in Europe. As such, the European Council Recommendation addresses the challenges of research careers in all sectors, and aims for a comprehensive approach towards research careers in Europe, through a variety of measures.
The following aspects are covered in this Recommendation:
- A definition of researcher and of the research professions, and the recognition of their value
- Improved recruitment and working conditions, including measures to increase the use of permanent contracts
- Researchers skilled for inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary careers and for entrepreneurship and innovation
- Fair career development and progression
- Measures for a balanced circulation of talents
- Strengthened support actions in support of research careers;
- Effective monitoring of research careers through a dedicated observatory.
A new Charter for Researchers
The proposed Council Recommendation also includes a new Charter for Researchers in Annex II, and proposes to replace the previous Charter and Code for Researchers with this new version.
This new Charter, addressed to researchers, employers, funders in the public and private sectors, and policymakers, builds on the previous version. In line with the previous Charter, it is intended that the new Charter will also provide guidelines to research institutions on the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and/or funders, recommendations for recruitment, and guidance on fostering good working conditions for researchers at all career stages.
Next Steps
EU Member States will now discuss this proposal with the intention of having it adopted by the European Council. The EC is also working on other measures to improve and develop initiatives in support of research careers, including EURAXESS, a future ERA Talent Platform, and an observatory on research and innovation careers.