HRS4R / HR Award

"HR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH" (HR AWARD) AT BUT

BRNO UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY CONFIRMED "THE HR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AWARD" OF THE HRS4R PROCESS. On 6 April 2023 BUT successfully defended HR Award certificate for the next three-year period.

THE EUROPEAN CHARTER FOR RESEARCHERS AND THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THEIR RECRUITMENT (C&C).

THE CHARTER RESTS ON FOUR PILLARS:

New Charter and Code, which will be relevant for BUT in the period from April 2026 to March 2031.

In December 2022 and January 2023, BUT Brno prepared documents for the Interim Assessment (Self-evaluation).
Also for this reason, a questionnaire survey was conducted among employees in all areas related to the Self-Assessment and the evaluation of the Action Plan 2021–2023.
Brno University of Technology received 12. 2. 2021 award "HR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH" without comment.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the processing of the documents to obtain it.
On 11 November 2019, Brno University of Technology subscribed to the principles enshrined in the European Charter for Researchers and in the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.  The aim of the University was to obtain the HR AWARD, which is awarded by the European Commission to research institutions that commited to implement the HRS4R Strategy (The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers) based on the above principles.

Benefits of HRS4R implementation for the University and researchers:

• Increasing University prestige and attractiveness
• Obtaining funds for research from European and national research supporting programmes - advantages in the TAČR programs, HORIZON 2020 and others
• Linking to a pan-European network of research organisations and Universities
• International attractiveness and visibility of the university for researchers
• Improving the quality of Human Resources care
• Transparent recruitment and selection of new researchers

HERE: "HR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH" (HR Award). HRS4R Acknowledged Institutions (EURAXESS / The map of all Awards is below the statistics).

Phases of the HRS4R

Initial phase (from November 2019 to October 2020) ( BUT won an award in February 2021)

1. Endorsement of the C&C. (institution)
2. Application for the HR Award (Gap Analysis, OTM-R Check list, Initial Action Plan Design). (institution)
3. Initial Assessment (European Commision)

The University prepared an internal GAP analysis aimed to compare the current practice at the University with the Charter and the Code; was prepared an Action Plan (AP) for the process of implementing the actions helping the institution pass from the current state to the target state in accordance with the principles enshrined in the Charter and in the Code. The GAP analysis included a Questionnaire survey among University staff. The University prepared analysis of OTM-R policy in university.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their Recruitment (C&C).

Implementation phase (from February 2021 to January 2023) / Next period 2023 - 2026 process/documents

1. From 2021, the University will implement the approved Action Plan.
2. At the end of the 2 years following the award, the University will conduct an interim internal self-assessment to define how the Action Plan has been implemented and how it is progressing. At the same time, the evaluation must include a revision of the Action Plan for the next 3 years.
3. These materials are sent to the European Commission for interim evaluation.
4. Over the next 3 years, the University shall implement the approved revised Action Plan (2023 - 2026)
5. Before the end of this period (3 years - in 2026), the University will carry out another internal self-assessment to define how the revised Action Plan has been implemented and how it is developing. At the same time, this self-assessment must include the renewed Action Plan including the OTM-R policy implementation plan for the next 3 years.
6. These materials are sent to the European Commission for evaluation.

Award Renewal phase

1. Renewal with site visit. (European Commision/External Experts)
2. Implementation of the Improved Action Plan (institution)
3. Renewal without site visit (European Commision/External Experts)
4. Implementation of the Further Improved Action Plan (institution)
5. Renewal with site visit (European Commision/External Experts)

ACTION PLAN

What it is:

The action plan is a sequence of activities that must be carried out in order to help the institution pass from the current state to the target state, with regard to the implementation of the 40 principles of the C&C. They will address the improvement needs identified in the Gap Analysis and the OTM-R checklist.

Why it is important for the application to the "HR Excellence in Research Award":

The action plan establishes the foundation of an HRS4R management by objectives process inside the institution. It stems directly from the Gap Analysis and the OTM-R checklist and it presents the institution's strategic vision in terms of the priority areas and implementation steps to be undertaken in the next two years.

GAP ANALYSIS

What it is:

The Gap analysis seeks the answers to questions "Where are we?" (current state) and "Where do we want to be?" (target state), as an institution, with regard to the 40 principles of the Charter and the Code.

Why it is important for the application to the "HR Excellence in Research Award “:

The gap analysis will provide a clear picture of the development needs, while identifying any deficiencies or shortcomings to be overcome. Once the gaps are identified, it becomes easier to prioritize and quantify them, and establish the work effort that will be required to address them. There should be a clear connection between the gap analysis and the subsequent measures outlined in the action plan.

OTM-R POLICY

OTM-R Policy (Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment of Researcheres) defines the way of researchers´ recruitment. It is open, transparent, knowledge-based process of researchers´ recruitment.

What the OTM-R checklist is:

It is a specific self-assessment checklist provided to report on the status of achievement in terms of the implementation of Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R) policies and practices, which aims at making research careers more attractive, while facilitating mobility and equal opportunities for all candidates.

Why it is important for the application to the "HR Excellence in Research Award“:

The OTM-R checklist builds on the C&C principles related to the Recruitment of Researchers. Coupled with the Gap Analysis, it will further provide to institutions a clearer picture of their development needs, which will be prioritized and addressed with concrete actions, part of the action plan to be implemented in the upcoming two years.

The Action Plan also includes a dedicated section to OTM-R policy and practices.