Human Resources Strategy for Research - Excellence in Research

The "HR Strategy for Researchers" is a mechanism to support the implementation of  the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C).

This is a set of general principles adopted by the European Commission in March 2005 with the aim to achieve for an excellent human resources management and to make research careers more attractive in order to enhance the development of a dynamic European research community and an open labour market for researchers.

Interested organizations, on a voluntary basis, may adhere to the C&C principles and to the HRS4R by signing a declaration of commitment and following a 5-step process:

• The participating institution carries out an internal Gap Analysis, evaluating the level of compliance of the internal policies and practices with the principles set forth in the C&C.
• On the basis of the results of this analysis, the participating institution develops its own Action Plan to ensure and/or improve alignment with the Charter & Code principles.
• The Analysis and Action Plan are then reviewed and approved by the European Commission. Acknowledged institutions can use the "HR Excellence in Research" logo to promote themselves as providers of stimulating and favourable working environments.
• The participating institution commits itself to an Internal Self-Evaluation after two years.
• The participating institution commits itself to an External Review four years after being awarded the logo.

In March 2014 Unifi signed a Declaration of Commitment letter for the implementation of a human resources strategy for researchers incorporating the European charter for researchers and a code of conduct for their recruitment (C&C).

In 2021, the first review of the action plan by the European Commission took place, followed by the update of the internal analysis and the drafting of the 2021-2023 Action Plan.

At the end of 2025, the periodic site visit was conducted, during which experts appointed by the European Commission, visited the University to evaluate the renewal of the award. Throughout the visit, the assessors interviewed representatives of the University, academic staff, and administrative personnel, verifying the impact of the actions undertaken since 2018.

European Expertes confirmed the HR Excellence in Research Award until November 2028, rewarding the University with an extremely positive assessment. The Commission expressed particular appreciation for:

• the extensive consultation process of the academic staff;
• the strong commitment to staff stability;
• the promotion of workplace well-being and work-life balance;
• the drafting of an OTM-R Policy containing the description of the University's recruitment processes;
• support measures to facilitate access to available funding, and particularly to opportunities for research excellence;
• the support and awareness measures regarding Open Science and Open Access;
• the promotion of training opportunities in soft skills.

Encouraged by this result, the University is currently preparing the periodic update of its Action Plan, identifying the most suitable initiatives to consolidate the implementation of the principles of the European Charter for Researchers.