The European Commission has renewed IBEC’s HR Excellence in Research Award, held since 2015, recognising the institute’s ongoing commitment to improving working conditions and career development for researchers.
The European Commission has approved the renewal of IBEC’s HR Excellence in Research Award, which recognises research institutions and Universities that show a sustained commitment to improving working conditions, professional development and human resources management for researchers. The renewal follows the assessment of the institute’s Human Resources Strategy for Researchers and its Action Plan 2025–2028.
IBEC first received the award in 2015, three years after endorsing the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for Recruitment, and has maintained it through successive renewal cycles since. The award is granted for three-year periods, each one subject to assessment by the European Commission.
The assessment report highlights how firmly the HR Excellence in Research strategy is embedded in IBEC’s institutional policies, the participatory approach behind it, and the progress made through the current Action Plan. The plan was drawn after an internal review and GAP analysis that included a survey of the IBEC community and eight focus groups. Led by the People Management Unit together with the Monitoring and Working Committee, the Steering Committee and the OTM-R Commission, it comprises 38 actions covering research integrity, open science and equality, diversity and inclusion; open, transparent and merit-based recruitment; working conditions and wellbeing; training and career development; and internal communication and participation.
“This renewal recognises the collective effort of the whole IBEC community, and it encourages us to keep building an increasingly inclusive, transparent and supportive research environment where talent can thrive. Thank you to everyone who has made it possible.”
Carolina Marí, head of IBEC’s People Management Unit.
To find out more, visit IBEC’s HR Strategy for Researchers page, to watch a two-minute video on the main actions implemented and to read the Action Plan 2025–2028.
