The accreditation HR Excellence in Research ( abbr. HR Award ) is awarded by the European Commission for the successful planning and implementation of excellent working conditions for researchers. With its application for the HR Award, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences commits itself to the 20 principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the goal of integrating these principles into the day-to-day work of researchers in the best possible way.
In concrete terms, this means improving the working conditions for researchers at all career levels, for instance through an improved recruitment and selection process, a revised personnel development programme or additional advisory services in the area of mobility. To this end, a project has been set up at the Service Centre for Research and Transfer (SFT) to coordinate the work during the certification process.
With its commitment to the European Charter for Researchers, h_da reaffirms its ambition to continously improve and provide excellence research conditions.
By participating in the HR Award working group, researchers can contribute by sharing their perspectives and requirements and so effectively help improving the working conditions for researchers.
Would you like to participate in the HR Award project? Then get in touch with us!
Facilitation of funding applications
Strengthening competitiveness for top international researchers
Improving the recruitment and working conditions of researchers
Exchange of best practices between universities at national and European level
Supporting long-term development processes in personnel management
The following diagram illustrates the timetable for the certification process, the HR Award Process. This begins with an initial phase and the submission of a Letter of Endorsement from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences in support of the European Charter for Researchers. The university submitted this in June 2025 and has thereby officially entered the European Commission’s audit process. Since the submission, experts from various departments and the university’s researchers have worked together to develop and approve a gap analysis and a subsequent action plan.
If the analysis and plans meet the European Commission’s requirements, the HR Excellence in Research award will be granted for the first time after the assessment has been completed. In future phases of the process, there will then be the implementation of the previously approved actions, an adjustment to the previous action plan and a further assessment by the European Commission.
Below you will find the first action plan of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences for the period 2026 to 2028 as part of its application for the HR Excellence in Research Award. The plan was developed in collaboration with all the departments involved and the university’s researchers, and aims to gradually improve the framework conditions for research over the next two years.
Marco Raguseo
Project Coordinator HR Award
+49.6151.533-60926
marco.raguseo@h-da.de
Dr Frank Möller
Head of Service Centre Research and Transfer (SFT)
+49.6151.533-60593
HR_Award@h-da.de
As a member of h_da, you can play an active role in shaping the reform process at the university. Get in touch with us.
Are you looking for the shortest route to the right contact person in matters of research, development or transfer? Here you will find our employees with their responsibilities and contact details.
