Addressing HR Excellence in Research Award Challenges Through the Repository

The HR Excellence in Research Award has become an important benchmark for organisations committed to improving research careers, strengthening institutional practices, and aligning with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers.

Yet, obtaining and maintaining the Award is far from straightforward.

Many organisations face similar challenges: engaging researchers and management, coordinating internal processes, translating policy into action, and sustaining momentum throughout the implementation journey.

Recognising these challenges, the CROSS project conducted a needs assessment to better understand where organisations require support and how this support can be delivered effectively.

What Organisations Told Us

A survey involving 55 organisations across Europe, including both institutions that already hold the Award and those preparing their applications, revealed several recurring obstacles.

Among the most frequently identified challenges were engaging researchers and institutional leadership, strengthening internal communication, managing limited human and financial resources, and translating the European Charter for Researchers into practical institutional actions.

The survey also highlighted that support needs differ depending on where an organisation is in its HR Excellence in Research journey. Institutions preparing for the Award expressed a strong need for practical guidance on conducting gap analyses, developing action plans, implementing Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R), and preparing successful applications.

In contrast, organisations that already hold the Award identified different priorities. These included maintaining engagement among researchers and management, preparing for site visits, integrating the New Charter into institutional practices, and sharing experiences of successful implementation with other organisations.

Respondents showed a clear preference for practical and interactive support formats, including online seminars, peer-learning activities, site visits, community of practice, and one-to-one consultations. These findings underline the importance of providing accessible resources, practical guidance, and opportunities for knowledge exchange throughout the entire HR Excellence in Research process.

Building Stronger Research Organisations Together

To address the needs identified in the survey, the CROSS project is developing a Repository, an online platform that will provide practical, experience-based support for organisations implementing HR Excellence in Research process principles.

The Repository will:

• Collect success stories and best practices
• Provide templates and guidelines regarding the Award process
• Share tips and examples of successful implementation
• Highlight common pitfalls and how to overcome them
• Offer answers to frequently asked questions
• Support organisations at different stages of the process
• Facilitate networking and peer exchange

The Repository is intended for universities, research-performing organisations, NGOs, and all organisations interested in obtaining the HR Excellence in Research Award. It is designed not only as an information database, but also as an interactive support ecosystem that encourages collaboration and institutional learning.

Ultimately, the Repository can help institutions move beyond a compliance-driven approach and support the development of more sustainable, inclusive, and researcher-friendly environments across the European research ecosystem.

Stay tuned for its launch in November 2026!