S La Fe renews the accreditation of the HRS4R seal of the European Commission

La Fe Health Research Institute (IIS La Fe) has successfully passed the renewal process of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), an accreditation granted by the European Commission to European institutions and research centres that constantly seek to improve employment and working conditions for European research staff and attract talent, thus contributing to improving the attractiveness of scientific careers. With this reaccreditation, the IIS La Fe is the first research centre in the Valencian Community to achieve the renewal of the seal.

On 30 September, IIS La Fe was visited by the assessment team for the renewal of the European Strategy for Human Resources for Researchers seal. During this day, the evaluators analysed and documented the progress made by the institution in relation to compliance with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, as well as the actions planned in its Action Plan, and exchanged views with the management, management and research staff on the work being done on HRS4R.

Participatory process and success

The European Commission, after the analysis and documentation of the evaluators, highlights that the IIS La Fe has established very ambitious HR objectives and a firm commitment to meet them. Likewise, the report issued by Europe highlights the suitability of the methodology developed by the institution for the implementation of the Action Plan of the HRS4R strategy and the willingness of workers to develop and address the challenges proposed by this distinction.

In order to reach the on-site audit and the final report of the European Commission, an inclusive and participatory approach was necessary, with the involvement of the entire research community, the governing bodies, the management departments and the scientific-technical services. To this end, a working group was appointed to direct and coordinate the process, made up of a broad representation of the institution's employees, to propose needs and proposals for action.

With regard to the improvements that could be made with a view to the next reaccreditation, the European Commission recommends, among other things, involving pre-doctoral researchers more in institutional activities and processes, as well as improving certain issues related to training and internationalisation in order to attract more international talent.

New horizon 2022-2025

After completing the renewal phase, the institution is currently working on the definition of the IIS Le Fe Action Plan 2022-2025 for the implementation of the Human Resources policy strategy in accordance with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

The HRS4R strategy is the mechanism through which the European Commission seeks to improve employment and working conditions for European research staff, thus contributing to improving the attractiveness of scientific careers. One of the cornerstones of this strategy is the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, adopted in 2005 by the European Commission as a recommendation to the Member States.

The Charter contains a set of general principles and requirements defining the roles, responsibilities and rights of researchers, employers and public funding institutions and companies. The Code stresses the importance of open and transparent recruitment procedures and selection committees, both diverse and experienced.

IIS La Fe was first awarded the HR Excellence in Research accreditation and seal in 2015, in accordance with the European Commission's Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R). At that time, IIS La Fe was a pioneering centre in Spain to apply and pass the assessment process. So far, 697 organisations have received HR Excellence accreditation, of which 150 are in Spain.