Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
The UK Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers is an agreement between funders and employers of research staff to improve the employment and support for researchers and research careers in UK higher education.
It sets out clear standards that research staff can expect from the institution that employs them, as well as their responsibilities as researchers.
Vitae leads on the management and implementation of the Concordat. The Concordat Strategy Group oversees strategy and implementation.
“Despite being a voluntary instrument, the Concordat is having a significant impact across the higher education sector. The intention to implement the principles of the Concordat is now widespread in institutions, and the corresponding infrastructure is increasingly in place.”
Three year review of the Implementation on the Concordat, 2012
Benefits of implementing the Concordat
Implementing the Concordat will sustain research excellence and bring benefits to the health, economy and well-being of the UK:
- Increase attractiveness of the UK for talented researchers
- Improve research output and impact
- Attract and retain researchers from the widest pool of talent
- Potential to secure more research funding.
The importance of investment and development of human resources is formally recognised within the Research Excellence Framework and European Commission’s Horizon 2020
Concordat background
Brief overview of the development of the Concordat from its origins in 1996 and relationship to the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the HR Excellence in Research Award.
HR Excellence in Research Award
UK institutions that have published Concordat implementation plans are able to apply for the European HR Excellence in Research Award. Vitae manages the UK process, which includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.
The next UK submission deadline is Friday 28 October 2016.
Related European initiatives
Concordat briefings for stakeholders
Our briefings describe the value of the Concordat for different audiences:
