Sapienza has been awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" award, a recognition given by the European Commission within the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers - HRS4R initiative aimed at implementing the rules and principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C).

The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct, adopted by Recommendation of March 11, 2005, constitute a set of general principles and requirements specifying the role, responsibilities and rights of researchers and of organisations that recruit and/or fund researchers. The Charter aims to ensure that the nature of the relationship between researchers and employers or funders fosters the production, transfer, sharing and dissemination of knowledge and technological development and is conducive to the professional development of researchers.

The Award was granted based on Sapienza's constant commitment to improving policies for the implementation of the Charter's principles, following a specific procedure:

1. Internal analysis of the state of the art of university regulations and current situation concerning C&C principles;
2. Development of a Human Resources Strategy to fill any gaps encountered in the course of internal analysis;
3. Accreditation by the European Commission (recognition as "HR Excellence in Research");

Within this procedural framework, Sapienza, as per Rectoral Decree no. 1703 - June 28, 2018, set up a Steering Committee to oversee the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) implementation and monitor it within the University.

The "Gap Analysis", "Action Plan", and "Self-assessment on Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R)" proposed by the Steering Committee were approved by resolution of the Academic Senate no. 181/19 - June 11, 2019,  and submitted to the European Commission for assessment.

To implement the Action Plan, Sapienza, by Rectoral Decree no. 1483 of June 1, 2021, has appointed a Technical-Scientific Committee and a Management Committee aimed respectively at supervising and implementing the HRS4R process within our University.

Once the 'HR Excellence in research' Award has been obtained, the procedure involves:

• Internal evaluation within 24 months after the Award was recognised. Sapienza submitted to the European Commission an Internal Review on how the original action plan was implemented, as well as a new OTM-R document. These documents, proposed by the Technical-Scientific Committee and the Management Committee, were approved by the resolution of the Academic Senate no. 258/2022 of November 8, 2022, and submitted to the European Commission for evaluation. A second internal review will be carried out within 36 months from the outcome of the mid-term assessment.
• External evaluation, the HRS4R process will continue periodically, including the organisation of site visits by the European Commission.