Research
Careers
Research Careers
Research careers are at the heart of the European Research Area. They are not only about individual professional journeys, but also about Europe’s ability to respond to global challenges, drive excellence, and remain competitive in the global arena. A thriving European Research Area (ERA) depends on attracting, developing, and retaining talented researchers — and on ensuring that careers in research are attractive, sustainable, and internationally competitive.
In the ERA Policy Agenda (2025-2027), research careers are addressed through a dedicated structural policy aiming at making research careers more attractive and sustainable, and at supporting mobility. The focus will be on supporting and monitoring the implementation of all actions stemming from the first ERA Policy Agenda (2022-2024), including Choose Europe for Science, the Council Recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe and the new European Charter for Researchers.
ERA tools and resources
Are you looking for tools, resources, and initiatives that can support and strengthen your research career in Europe?
- Council Recommendation on a European Framework for Research Careers
A common European framework that sets principles for attractive and sustainable research careers, supports mobility across borders and sectors, and guides Member States in reforming and aligning their policies. - European Charter for Researchers
A new EU-wide framework to attract, support, and retain research talent in Europe. - ERA Talent Platform
Your one-stop shop for connecting researchers, institutions, and services across the ERA. - HR Excellence in Research Award
Recognition for institutions aligning with the European Charter for Researchers and fostering a high-quality, supportive research environment. - EURAXESS
The leading portal for researcher mobility and career development, with 650+ service centres in 43 countries. - ResearchComp – European Competence Framework for Researchers
A structured tool with 38 competences across 7 areas to support mobility and impact. - ReICO – Research and Innovation Careers Observatory
The go-to source for monitoring trends and informing reforms in research careers. - Policy Support Facility – Mutual Learning Exercise on Research Careers
Sharing best practices and recommendations to support national reforms across the ERA. - RESAVER
The pan-European pension fund that ensures portability, flexibility, and security for researchers across the ERA.
Source: ERA Policy Platform, INSPIRING ERA
INSPIRING ERA activities
Discover key insights, event materials, and practical resources from INSPIRING ERA activities that focus on making research careers in Europe more attractive, sustainable, and internationally connected:
Boost your career: new EU tools and support for attractive research careers
Materials from the European Online Event held on 4 December 2024.
- How to make Research Careers more sustainable and attractive? Ways to benefit from the new EU-level policies and tools
Materials from the INSPIRING ERA Exchange held on 13 November 2024.
- Promote attractive and sustainable research careers, balanced talent circulation and international, transdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility across the ERA
Factsheet on Research Careers in the European Research Area.
Related EU projects and initiatives
- DIOSI – Training Early Career Researchers (2021-2022)
Project developing and implementing hands-on training on Open Science and Open Innovation for early career researchers creating a virtuous circle between training and evaluation. SECURE (SECURE I. 2023-2025), (SECURE II. 2025-2029)
The SECURE project develops structured and sustainable research career pathways to strengthen researchers’ well-being, long-term commitment, and Europe’s overall R&I capacity through an integrated European research career framework.- ARCOE (2025-2028)
Establishing a virtual talent innovation ecosystem hub to offer training, networking, and career development opportunities. - NextTechTalents (2025-2027)
Creating integrated talent ecosystems to help early-stage researchers navigate diverse career paths. - CROSS – Career Management Services for European Talents (2025-2028)
Mainstreaming principles designed to promote career interoperability and organisational change through tools, such as a mentoring handbook.
