The European Commission has launched ResearchComp, a comprehensive competence framework designed to help researchers strengthen their transversal skills and support more flexible, inter-sectoral career paths. Developed in close consultation with the research community, the tool contributes to the objectives of the new European Research Area, the Skills Agenda, and the European Year of Skills.
At its core, ResearchComp provides a common language for describing the transversal competences researchers need to thrive not only in academia, but also in industry, public administration, and the non-profit sector. By offering a structured and accessible framework, it enables researchers and institutions to better understand, assess, and improve essential skills for today’s competitive and rapidly evolving research landscape.
ResearchComp is intended for a wide range of stakeholders:
- Researchers can explore the competences that support career mobility, assess their current proficiency, and identify areas for further development.
- Universities, research organisations, and training providers can design or adapt programmes that build relevant transversal skills from early career stages and throughout lifelong learning.
- Employers gain a clearer understanding of the breadth of competences researchers can bring to their organisations.
- Policy makers can use the framework to monitor competence development and design policies that foster mobility and skills acquisition.
A key feature is the ResearchComp Self-Assessment Tool, an online questionnaire built around 39 competences grouped into seven areas: cognitive abilities, doing research, managing research, managing research tools, making an impact, working with others, and self-management. Through multiple-choice questions, users can identify their proficiency level — from foundational to expert — and gain a detailed overview of their strengths and skill gaps.
ResearchComp includes:
- 7 competence areas
- 39 transversal competences
- 389 learning outcomes organised across 4 proficiency levels
Each competence includes a clear descriptor and associated learning outcomes, enabling researchers and institutions to track progress and design targeted training activities. Advancement can happen through formal courses, on-the-job learning, mentoring, and peer-to-peer exchange.
Importantly, the framework does not expect researchers to reach expert level in every competence. Instead, it encourages balanced development across all seven areas to support successful and adaptable careers.
By aligning with the European Skills, Competences, and Occupations (ESCO) classification, ResearchComp offers the first fully integrated competence framework for researchers at the European level. Its launch represents an important step toward improving researchers’ employability, strengthening the research ecosystem, and supporting innovation-driven growth across sectors.
You can find the Self-Assessment Tool here: https://shorturl.at/7ybDm
Photo: Dmytro Yarish/Unsplash
