The European Charter for Researchers and its principles
The new European Charter for Researchers, adopted by the Council of the European Union on 18 December 2023 as Annex II to Council Recommendation C/2023/1640, fully replaces the 2005 Charter and Code.
The Charter sets out a common European framework consisting of 20 principles, addressed to researchers, employers, funders, and policymakers, with the aim of:
- strengthening the attractiveness, sustainability, and quality of research careers across Europe;
- supporting excellence in research and innovation;
- promoting mobility and the free circulation of researchers within the European Research Area.
The Charter is structured around four strategic pillars:
- Ethics, integrity, gender equality, and Open Science
- Assessment, recruitment, and progression of researchers
- Working conditions and practices
- Research careers and talent development
It provides a modern and updated reference framework that brings together, in a single document, issues of ethics, integrity, equal opportunities, openness of science (Open Science), fair and transparent recruitment, working conditions, lifelong learning, and career development.
The Charter is also regarded as a key reference document for the process of awarding the HR Excellence in Research Award.
