SECURE2: Sustainable Careers for Research Empowerment 2

The SECURE2 project aims to pilot and implement recommendations from the European Framework for Research Careers (RCF) to improve research career progression and mobility within research-performing organizations (RPOs) and research-funding organizations (RFOs). This project builds on the previous SECURE project and expands its scope to a four-year duration, allowing a more extensive and impactful implementation of RCF recommendations. SECURE2 will provide a 2+-year trail within the 4-year project, to effectively implement the more difficult and time-intensive actions and recommendations.

The overarching Aim of SECURE2 is to:

• Build upon the completed ERA50 project SECURE, using SECURE expert partners and the pilot RPOs and RFOs experience in implementing Action Plans (APs) for institutional change.
• Use and adapt best practice tools from the SECURE project, in particular, the ‘RCF Actions selection’ tool as the basis of guiding the pilots to select their interventions.
• Foster the development of ecosystems for research positions by promoting collaboration between researchers, research managers, and administrators, facilitating active participation from all stakeholders, and ensuring that the co-design, implementation, and evaluation of the RCF are rooted in the practical needs of both academic and non-academic sectors.

SECURE2 employs a three-tiered approach to ensure representation and consensus building of key stakeholder groups in the research and innovation ecosystem: (1) large consortium ensuring expert partners (2) open consultations with the stakeholder community to co-design and validate key project outcomes (3) advisory board of key representatives to ensure independent expert oversight and connection to policymakers.