What makes Europe an attractive place to pursue a research career? The answer lies in the European Charter for Researchers, a framework that defines rights, responsibilities, and working conditions for researchers and their institutions.
The European Charter for Researchers aims to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) by creating an open, attractive and sustainable labour market for researchers. It ensures that the relationship between researchers and their institutions fosters knowledge creation, transfer and dissemination, while supporting professional development at all career stages.
The Charter for Researchers also highlights the value of mobility as a driver of growth and collaboration, and applies to researchers across all disciplines, sectors, and career paths.
It is structured around four key pillars:
- Ethics, integrity, gender and open science: safeguarding academic freedom, promoting equality, supporting open science and work–life balance.
- Researchers’ Assessment, Recruitment & career progression: transparent and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R), fair assessment, and career support inside and outside academia.
- Working conditions and practices: administrative and legal guidance (visas, permits, taxation), complaint handling, and access to opportunities such as travel grants.
- Research careers and talent development: mentoring, leadership training, PhD charters, buddy programmes, career fairs, and career development plans.
✅ In the French-speaking Community of Belgium (also known as Wallonia-Brussels Federation), all universities are committed to these principles and have been granted the HR Excellence in Research Award (formerly HRS4R) in recognition.
🔗 Learn more about the Charter for Researchers here: European Charter for Researchers – EURAXESS
🔗 Learn more about the HR Excellence in Research Award in the 5 universities of the French-speaking Community of Belgium (Université libre de Bruxelles, Université de Mons, Université catholique de Louvain, Université de Namur, Université de Liège): Awarded Organisations | EURAXESS