Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

ERA-CAREERS: From Charter to Practice – Strengthening Research Careers Through Capacity Building and Communities of Practice

Project description

Strengthening research careers across Europe

To maintain research excellence, Europe must attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. However, it is not easy to translate the European Charter for Researchers into daily practice. To address this gap, the ERA-CAREERS project is building a flexible framework designed to help organisations put the Charter’s principles into action. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, it will use a combination of diagnostic tools, a modular learning hub, and active communities of practice to provide tailored support. By integrating micro-learning, peer-to-peer exchange, and evidence-based guidance directly into HR systems, governance, and national strategies, the project aims to help institutions move from policy to practice. Ultimately, this work is about keeping Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem competitive.

Objective

ERA-CAREERS supports the systemic uptake of the European Charter for Researchers by creating a durable and scalable architecture that bridges diagnostics, learning, peer ecosystems, and policy. The project adopts a multi-level theory of change, beginning with participatory, narrative-based mapping of systemic challenges and enablers across national and thematic clusters (SO1). Insights are translated into a modular Learning and Certification Hub, offering ≥20 micro-learning units and stackable certification pathways tailored to researchers, careeERA-CAREERS supports the systemic uptake of the European Charter for Researchers by building a durable and scalable architecture that connects diagnostics, learning, peer ecosystems, and policy. The project adopts a multi-level theory of change, moving from participatory mapping of systemic challenges (SO1) to the creation of a modular Learning and Certification Hub (SO2), the establishment of a Pan-European Community of Practice platform with four Thematic CoPs (SO3), and structured policy uptake through Policy Briefs and a high-level Summit (SO4). By combining narrative-based diagnostics, digitally enabled micro-learning, peer-driven institutional tools, and validated policy guidance, ERA-CAREERS ensures that Charter principles are embedded into HR systems, governance structures, and national strategies. Over three years, the project will engage ≥600 learners, ≥40 institutions (≥50% external), and at least 50 policymakers and funders, producing an integrated repository of good practices, validated institutional tools, and stakeholder-endorsed policy recommendations. This approach directly delivers on the expected outcomes of the Work Programme: (1) consolidated inventory of good practices and lessons learnt, (2) broader institutional adoption of the research career framework across academic and non-academic actors, and (3) improved working conditions and employability for researchers, particularly early-career researchers.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

UNIVERZITET U NOVOM SADU FAKULTET TEHNICKIH NAUKA
Net EU contribution
€ 257 250,00
Address
TRG DOSITEJA OBRADOVICA 6
21000 Novi Sad
Serbia
Region
Србија - север Регион Војводине Јужнобачка област
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 257 250,00

Participants (17)