The University of Montpellier renews its European "HR Excellence in Research" label for three years
Following an evaluation and on-site audit in June 2021, European Commission rapporteurs issued a favorable opinion on the University of Montpellier's application to renew its European "HR Excellence in Research" label. The UM has thus renewed its label of excellence for a three-year cycle (until 2024). 
This decision reinforces the human resources strategy for research (HRS4R) implemented by UM since 2015, which aims to support research professions by improving career support for researchers, promoting their working conditions and mobility within Europe, while enhancing the University's attractiveness.
Application for renewal of the HR Excellence in Research label submitted in December 2020
During 2020, UM conducted an end-of-cycle self-assessment based on collective reflection and cross-departmental work, which led to the development of a new action plan for the period 2020-2023. The elements of the renewal dossier, approved by the Board of Directors on December 14, 2020, and validated in June 2021 by three experts from the European Commission, include:
- The HRS4R 2020 report
- The status of completion of the HRS4R plan 2017-2019
- The UM OTM-R Charter
- The revised HRS4R action plan for the period 2020-2023
Reminder – UM obtains the European label “HR Excellence in Research”
Since March 2015, the University of Montpellier has been implementing a Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) that reflects its commitment to evolving its practices and aligning itself with the recommendations of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C). These two texts, adopted in 2005 by the European Commission (EC), aim to promote research careers in Europe. This earned UM the distinction of being the first French university to receive the European Commission's "HR Excellence in Research" label in March 2015 (and to renew it in June 2021).
For several years, UM has been pursuing this strategy in order to support research and promote excellence in human resources for research (good working conditions, open, transparent, merit-based recruitment (OTM-R), and career support)
HRS4R is a quality approach based on the principle of continuous improvement, for which UM has set up regular monitoring (with self-assessment and updating of the action plan at mid-term and at the end of the cycle). Awarded for an initial period of five years, the label is renewable in three-year cycles. Carried out in March 2017, a mid-term self-assessment was positively evaluated by the European Commission and led to the revision of the action plan for 2017-2019.
A real asset for obtaining funding, particularly from the EU, this certification helps to secure European funding received by the UM (Article 18 in Horizon Europe) and gives the institution greater visibility and attractiveness at national and international level.
Contact: Nathalie Modjeska – Head of International Programs MUSE – email