Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) at FORTH

HR Excellence in Research Award

The Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) has been awarded the HR Excellence in Research logo by the European Commission in 2023. This distinction recognizes FORTH’s ongoing commitment to aligning with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and to enhancing working conditions and career development opportunities for its research staff.

Overview

FORTH is actively implementing the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) to foster a supportive, transparent and inclusive research environment. The strategy aims to ensure open and merit-based recruitment, promote ethical and gender-balanced practices and encourage continuous professional development.

To coordinate this effort, FORTH has established a unified HRS4R Governance Structure, which brings together both operational and strategic perspectives through two interlinked bodies: the Working Group and the Steering Committee.

In addition, other relevant institutional committees—including those on ethics, gender equality, and data protection—as well as the Union of Researchers and the Union of Employees, actively contribute to the design and implementation of the HRS4R strategy. Their involvement strengthens the participatory and inclusive nature of the initiative.

HRS4R Governance Structure

Purpose

The HRS4R Governance Structure is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of FORTH’s HRS4R Action Plan. Its core objectives include:

• Implementing the Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R) policy
• Monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes of the HRS4R Action Plan
• Identifying challenges and proposing responsive measures
• Ensuring consistency with ethics, gender equality and broader institutional
strategies
• Advising FORTH’s Board of Directors on HRS4R-related matters

Composition

The Governance Structure includes members from across the institution, such as:

• Researchers at all career stages (R1–R4)
• Administrative and technical staff
• Representatives from legal, HR, ethics, gender equality, data protection and other
relevant units of FORTH
• Delegates from the Union of Researchers and the Union of Employees

Members have been appointed to ensure broad institutional representation, career-stage diversity and gender balance, reflecting FORTH’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusive governance.

Collaboration and Communication

The Governance Structure fosters regular communication, collaboration and coordination among its members and with other internal stakeholders. It plays a critical role in embedding HRS4R principles into FORTH’s culture and practices, ensuring accountability and promoting continuous improvement.

For more information on the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers at FORTH, contact:

Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C)
FORTH/EURAXESS Contact Point
Dr. George Papamichail, STEP-C Director

Συγκροτήθηκαν και εγκρίθηκαν η Ομάδα Εργασίας και η Συντονιστική Επιτροπή για τον σχεδιασμό και την εφαρμογή της Στρατηγικής Ανθρώπινου Δυναμικού για τους Ερευνητές - Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) και της Χάρτας και του Κώδικα για τους Ερευνητές.

(Απόφαση ΔΣ/ΙΤΕ: 497/39-6/13.2.2023)

Επιτροπή HRS4R

(Απόφαση ΔΣ/ΙΤΕ: 497/39-6/13.2.2023)

Έγγραφα

FORTH Action Plan (Version 1)

FORTH Action plan (Version 2)

FORTH Action plan (Version 3)

FORTH Action Plan (Gantt chart)

FORTH Gap Analysis

FORTH OTM-R

Technical Guidelines for Institutions (2.56 MB)

HRS4R procedure chart (52.79 KB)

Assessment of the Implementation of the European Charter for Researchers at FORTH: A Statistical Analysis of Staff Perceptions

Επιτροπή Ηθικής και Δεοντολογίας της Έρευνας

Επιτροπή Ισότητας των Φύλων και Καταπολέμησης των Διακρίσεων (ΕΙΦΚΔ)

Επιτροπή Υγείας και Ασφάλειας των Εργαζομένων (ΕΥΑΕ)

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