In 2005, the European Commission published the Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code), which sets out the roles, responsibilities and rights of research staff and employers (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter). This Code establishes some principles, which imply an improvement in the selection and hiring processes and the design of a professional career, which can be summarized in various areas: ethical and professional aspects; selection and recruitment; working conditions; Training and development. These blocks, together with the Charter and Code, define the principles that institutions must guarantee to researchers.

The HRS4R Award is a recognition of the institution's commitment to developing a Human Resources strategy for researchers, designed to apply the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Making an institution and research centre more favourable to the development of the professional career of researchers, also improves the attractiveness of national research systems and contributes to the development of the European labour market and the consolidation of the European Research Area (ERA).

This paper analyses the European context related to HRS4R and presents a proposal for an Action Plan to be followed by an institution and research centre. This action plan must comply with the principles of transparency, integrity, quality and valuation of research at all stages. A proposal is presented for the types of improvement to be implemented after the drafting of the Action Plan, which implies a paradigm shift in the way research is evaluated in the university environment.

Keywords: HRS4R, action plan, transparency, quality, integrity.