European Charter for Researchers

From January 2024, the Charter and the Code have been replaced by an updated document entitled “European Charter for Researchers,” the content of which has been adapted to the current challenges, the evolving scientific environment, and the nature of research careers.

The new European Charter for Researchers is an annex to the Council of the European Union Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation, and entrepreneurial talents in Europe (PDF - Polish version) – Annex II, from page 18 (PDF - Polish version); COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe (PDF - Polish version) – Annex II, from page 18 (PDF - Polish version).

Since 2005, the documents The European Charter for Researchers (Polish version) and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Polish version) have been a recommendation of the European Commission, addressed to researchers, employers, and research funding organizations.

The European Charter for Researchers is intended for all researchers in the European Union at all stages of their scientific careers. It covers research activities in both the public and private sectors, regardless of the nature of the position, employment type, legal status of the employer, or the kind of organization or institution where research is conducted.

The Charter takes into account the diverse functions performed by researchers, who are not only involved in research and development activities, but also in supervision, mentoring, advisory, managerial, or administrative roles. It describes the rights and responsibilities of both researchers and their employers or funding organizations. These principles concern working conditions, career development, mobility, and supervision of early-stage researchers.

The main objective of the Charter is to ensure relationships between researchers and their employers or funders that promote career development and the achievement of positive outcomes in the creation, transfer, exchange, and dissemination of knowledge and technological progress.

The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers complements the principles and requirements set out in the European Charter for Researchers by ensuring that recruitment processes are transparent and that all candidates are treated equally.

The implementation of these principles is supported by the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment Policy (OTM-R), which involves, among others:

• providing clear and transparent information about the entire recruitment process,
• publishing clear and concise job advertisements including details on:
  • required competences and responsibilities,
  • working conditions,
  • entitlements,
  • training opportunities,
  • career development,
  • gender equality policy.

E-learning course: The New European Charter for Researchers