In 2005, the European Commission adopted the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. These documents described the rights and obligations applicable to both researchers and the institutions employing them. Both documents emphasized the need to create good and stable working conditions for researchers at every stage of their career paths.

The European Charter for Researchers established general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities, and entitlements of researchers, as well as their employers and/or funders. The aim of the Charter was to ensure that the nature of the relationship between researchers and their employers would foster positive outcomes in the creation, transfer, sharing, and dissemination of knowledge and technological development, as well as support the career development of researchers.

The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers set out general principles and requirements that employers and/or funders should follow when appointing and recruiting researchers. These principles and requirements were intended to guarantee respect for such values as transparency in the recruitment process and equal treatment of all candidates, particularly with a view to developing an attractive, open, and sustainable European labour market for researchers.

IMPORTANT →
On 29 December 2023, the Recommendation of the Council of the European Union of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe (C/2023/1640) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. This document replaced the previous two documents: the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, while retaining a new updated European Charter for Researchers (Annex II to the Recommendation).

Key actions and recommendations

1. Better working conditions and career development

• More stable employment and transparent career paths for researchers.
• Fair remuneration and improved working conditions.
• Support for work–life balance.

2. Mobility and recognition of qualifications

• Facilitating the mobility of talent between EU countries.
• Faster and simpler recognition of diplomas and qualifications.
• Removing administrative barriers (e.g. visa-related barriers for individuals from outside the EU).

3. Skills development

• Investing in training, especially in digital and entrepreneurial skills.
• Supporting lifelong learning.

4. Cooperation between science and business

• Strengthening cooperation between universities, research institutes, and companies.
• Supporting knowledge transfer and the commercialisation of research.

5. Inclusion and diversity

• Promoting equality (e.g. gender equality) in science and innovation.
• Creating a more inclusive working environment.

6. Attracting talent from outside the EU

• Simplifying entry and residence procedures.
• Creating incentives for highly qualified specialists.

European Charter for Researchers

Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers