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HRS4R - "HR Excellence in Research" label

As the first French university to receive the "HR Excellence in Research" label from the European Commission (EC), the University of Montpellier has been deploying a Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) since 2015, reflecting its commitment to evolving its practices and moving closer to the recommendations of the European Charter for Researchers, adopted in 2005 and revised in 2023, aimed at promoting research careers in Europe.

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 5 years, the label is renewable in 3-year cycles.

A long-term commitment to quality and attractiveness

For the past 10 years, the UM has been deploying an HRS4R strategy of excellence, aimed at improving career support, guaranteeing open, fair and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R), promoting the mobility and attractiveness of our research teams, and enhancing the working conditions and integration of our researchers.

The label is a real asset for securing and developing European funding (Horizon Europe), increasing the UM's visibility on the national and international scene, and boosting our attractiveness.

Download the initial dossier: human resources strategy for research - PDF 1 Mo Download

The mid-term self-assessment, carried out in March 2017, had been positively received by the European Commission and led to the revision of the action plan for 2017-2019.

The end-of-cycle self-assessment conducted in 2020, based on collective reflection and cross-directional work, led to the emergence of an action plan for the 2020-2023 period. The elements of the renewal dossier, approved by the Board of Directors on December 14, 2020, were validated by three experts from the European Commission following an assessment and on-site audit in June 2021. They include:

A label renewed until 2027

Based on a survey of the UM's research community and cross-directorate work, the end-of-cycle self-evaluation carried out in 2023-2024 led to the emergence of a new action plan for 2024-2027. This action plan is among the elements of the renewal dossier approved by the Board of Directors on November 18, 2024 and submitted to the European Commission for validation. They include:

After assessing these factors, the European Commission's rapporteurs gave a favorable opinion on the application to renew the label for a three-year cycle, until July 2027.

The program

44 objectives of the current plan are divided into 4 pillars and include actions on :

Pillar 1 - Ethics, integrity, gender and open science :
- promoting research with the creation of a "Research directory & skills map" (Action 1)
- use of the ORCID number as a unique identifier (Action 3)
- the creation of a UM-FULBRIGHT partnership for cross-mobility of scientists (Action 12)
- numerous initiatives to promote gender equality, the prevention of sexist and sexual violence and inclusion (Actions 5-6-7-8-9-10-11)
Pillar 2 -Evaluation, recruitment and career development of researchers :
- setting up an HR master plan (Actions 13)
- simplification and internationalization of the recruitment process for Teachers, Professors and Researchers (Actions 14-15-16-17)
- deployment of attractiveness programs (Actions 19-20)
Pillar 3 -Working conditions and methodsl :
- facilitating innovation through a single portal for Professors and researchers and dedicated IT tools (Action 24-25-26-27-28)
- improving the Quality of Life at work and preventing psycho-social risks (Actions 33-34-35)
- internationalization of the induction phase for foreign recruits at the UM and of the assignment process (Actions 38-39-40-41)
Pillar 4 -Scientific careers and talent development :
- offer specific training courses for Professors and researchers, such as English language courses
- support in developing a personalized career plan (Actions 43-44-45)