The HR Excellence in Research Award is given by the European Commission. It is awarded to research institutions that support and implement the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R). Such bodies adhere to the principles and guidelines in:

• The European Charter for Researchers, which contains the rights and obligations to which researchers, their employing institutions, and research funding organisations are subject,

• The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, which contains the principles for the recruitment of researchers that institutions-employers should follow, ensuring equal treatment for researchers recruited in Europe.

The implementation of the HRS4R Strategy obliges research institutions to provide favourable working conditions, career development and mobility opportunities, and transparent recruitment processes for researchers. The Award can be of added value to the institution’s funding applications in the European Commission’s international grant competitions, including HORIZON Europe.

Obtaining and maintaining the Award requires the university to meet certain requirements and go through a complex accreditation procedure. The overall schedule consists of three phases: Initial (twelve months), Implementation (five years) and Award Renewal (six years). To implement the first phase, a Team for the application and implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Regulation) has been established. The Team is led by the Vice-Rector for Development and Finance, Prof. Rafał Matwiejczuk.