Explained

Research careers are at the heart of the European Research Area. It is thanks to our research talents that research and innovation can address societal needs and ensure competitiveness of Europe on the global arena.

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 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 (December 2023).

Horizon Europe plays a key role in fostering better research careers. It supports a variety of resources, tools, and projects contributing in a synergetic way to addressing challenges of researchers, research performing and funding organisations, and policymakers.

For example, Horizon Europe supports the implementation of the new standards for research careers by stakeholders at all levels. In this context, a Mutual Learning Exercise on Research Careers took place under the Policy Support Facility to foster implementation of the new framework and exchange of good practices at Member State level.

Horizon Europe also funds projects that support cooperation and exchange of good practices to advance implementation of the new standards by relevant research and innovation actors (e.g., employers of researchers in the public and private sector).

On this page, you can find relevant resources and tools, ongoing projects and upcoming calls for proposals, and insights on outcomes and impacts of Horizon Europe support to research careers.