Following the success of the SECURE project (2023–2025), the European initiative SECURE2 – Sustainable Careers for Researcher Empowerment 2 is officially set to begin. Building on the lessons and achievements of its predecessor, SECURE2 aims to test and implement the recommendations of the European Research Career Framework (RCF), supporting smoother career progression and increased mobility for researchers within institutions that fund and conduct scientific research (RFOs and RPOs).
The first SECURE project laid a strong foundation for this work. During the SECURE Final Summit in early March, researchers, policymakers, and institutional leaders engaged in insightful discussions about some of the most pressing challenges facing academia today. Topics explored included how institutions can provide greater career stability, which skills and support systems are essential for navigating career transitions, and how to maintain competitive and attractive research careers in a rapidly evolving landscape.
SECURE2 will test these career development recommendations for a minimum of two years in at least nine organizations across Europe. This timeframe allows the project to analyze the possibilities and effects of implementing the RCF recommendations through specially designed interventions in participating institutions. The initiative provides an action plan and a set of options to support organizations in achieving real institutional change, promoting collaboration among researchers, managers, and administrators, while addressing the real needs of both academic and non-academic sectors.
SECURE2 officially started its first phase in June this year, marking the start of a new chapter in strengthening research careers across Europe. The project’s first meeting will take place in Sarajevo on 15–16 September.
By fostering dialogue, piloting concrete interventions, and sharing results across Europe, SECURE2 aims to turn ideas into action, contributing to a more sustainable, attractive, and empowering research ecosystem. The first official SECURE2 meeting is on the horizon, marking the start of a new chapter in strengthening research careers across Europe. Updates, insights, and outcomes from the project will be shared as the initiative progresses, ensuring a transparent and inclusive journey toward a stronger research community.