Excellence Begins with Researchers at METU

The HR Excellence in Research Award recognizes universities and research organizations that demonstrate a strong and sustained alignment with the principles of the Charter for Researchers.

At METU, the recognition reflects an institutional commitment to a research ecosystem where researchers are supported, empowered, and enabled to thrive.

HR Excellence in Research is considered a vital milestone in becoming a truly researcher-friendly university. Aligning with this vision, in 2018, METU endorsed the 40 principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers as part of its commitment to fostering a highly qualified and motivated research workforce.

Through targeted Gap Analyses and Action Plans, METU has continuously worked towards implementing these principles and improving its human resources practices in line with European standards. As part of the 2026 renewal process under the HR Excellence in Research (formerly known as Human Resources Strategy for Researchers [HRS4R]) framework, METU is transitioning to the renewed European Charter for Researchers. In this context, METU has updated its Action Plan based on the 20 principles of the revised Charter, reaffirming its commitment to providing a supportive, attractive, and excellence-driven environment for researchers.

Commitment to Excellence

Fair recruitment, career development, integrity, equality, inclusion, mobility, collaboration, and evidence-based institutional development.

Strategic Impact

Global talent, structured research careers, stronger research culture, internationalisation, and future-ready capacity.

Key Achievements

Enhanced governance, improved onboarding, international alignment, inclusion policies, and systematic evaluation cycles.

A structured institutional path

METU’s alignment with the European framework is the result of a structured, multi-phase institutional effort.

Open, accessible reporting

Institutional Policies, Action Plans, related documents, and ongoing updates.

Shared responsibility

The process is coordinated through a collaborative governance model involving academic leadership, administrative units, and expert contributors.

Core Members