The Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) has successfully renewed the prestigious HR Excellence in Research Award in 2025, a distinction granted by the European Commission to institutions that demonstrate a firm and ongoing commitment to improving working conditions for researchers.

The European Commission highlighted that VHIR’s Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is deeply embedded and aligned with the institute’s strategy. It recognised our ambition, strategic alignment, participatory approach, and commitment to continuous improvement as key strengths, positioning VHIR as a model institution within the European Research Area.

The Commission also acknowledged our robust HR strategy in areas such as career progression, comprehensive onboarding programme, training, equality, and alignment with EU standards, noting that these efforts strengthen our internal research community and contribute to raising standards of research excellence and human resources management across the sector.

First awarded in 2015 and renewed in 2021, this 2025 renewal reaffirms VHIR’s commitment to fostering a transparent, ethical, inclusive, and high-quality research environment, fully in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their Recruitment.

Looking ahead, VHIR remains fully committed to excellence as it implements the 2024–2027 Action Plan, continuing to support and strengthen its research community while advancing human resources practices across the sector.

Know more about VHIR’s HR Excellence in Research.