In 2005, the European Commission adopted the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers with the aim of creating a common European framework that offers optimal working conditions for people working in research, thus favouring both their professional development and mobility.
In order to promote its adoption in all European Union (EU) countries and to support organisations in the process of implementing the principles of the Charter and the Code, the EU Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) was launched in 2008. The HR Excellence in Research award identifies organisations that have successfully incorporated the HRS4R principles into their policies and practices. Through the EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion platform, European researchers are offered information and support services to boost their professional careers.
The University of Santiago de Compostela formally adhered to the principles of the Charter and the Code in July 2016 and, in February 2017, obtained the HR Excellence in Research Award, thus joining the more than 650 research institutions with this mark of excellence in the EU. This quality award reflects USC's commitment to improve its human resources strategy and provide a stimulating environment for high-level, internationally competitive research.