Early Insights from SMART Researchers Project: HR Audits Reveal Strong Foundations for Career Support
The first results from the Horizon Europe SMART Researchers project are now available, following a series of comprehensive institutional HR audits carried out in November and December 2025, just three months after the project’s official launch. Led by Road HR, a consulting organisation specialising in human resources, the audits were conducted in academic and non-academic partnering institutions in Serbia, Croatia and Greece.
What the HR Audits Reveal per Country
Overall, the initial results are very encouraging. Most organizations already have the fundamentals: clear policies, functioning governance, and a visible commitment to fairness. The next step is turning good intentions into everyday practice through routine tracking, follow-ups, and clear responsibilities.
Croatia: Strong institutional frameworks are already in place. The next step is to simplify procedures, improve traceability, and regularly produce short evidence outputs, such as annual training summaries, periodic staff feedback, and brief notes on improvements.
Greece: Strategic intent and researcher support are strong but often spread across units and project activities. Key improvements include better coordination, standardizing the researcher’s journey, and capturing participation consistently.
Serbia: The basic system for supporting researchers is already working well. The focus is now on improving and expanding it: making career development cycles clearer, strengthening career services as a single point of support, and tracking progress through training, surveys, and follow-ups.
The HR Audit followed the European Charter for Researchers, the Council Recommendation on the European Framework for R&I Careers and HRS4R (HR Excellence in Research) principles. The coordinator of the project, Danijela Ćirić Lalić, from Faculty of Technical Sciences University of Novi Sad says that these insights will be used for Strategic Actions Plans for partnering institutions.
About SMART Researchers
The SMART Researchers project is on a mission to build sustainable talent ecosystems for Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) in Widening Countries. By promoting HR practices aligned with the European Framework for Research Careers and the European Charter for Researchers, the aim is to enhance working conditions and provide a robust capacity-building framework. The approach also includes micro-credentialing and certification based on the European Competence Framework for Researchers (ReserchComp), helping ESRs acquire and showcase the advanced skills needed to thrive in interoperable careers. With a focus on the green and digital transitions, SMART Researchers equips the next generation of researchers to meet the evolving demands of research and innovation in Europe.
The HR audits mark an important first milestone for the SMART Researchers project. By providing a clear, evidence-based picture of current practices across participating institutions, they lay the groundwork for meaningful and targeted HR change.
Discover all about the project on the project website and social media channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, X, YouTube).