Abstract

Navigating the "pathways to impact" from proposal to real-world outcomes is becoming an increasingly critical role for Research Managers and Administrators (RMAs). Our presentation aims not only to raise awareness but also to provide actionable steps for cultivating a culture where RMAs can thrive as "Impact Agents." Additionally, we will discuss future scenarios, outlining how RMAs can be continuously trained and upskilled to adapt to evolving demands and opportunities.

We will outline the essential skills, profiles, and competencies that RMAs must develop, and discuss how to foster an environment that enables this transformation to bridge this impact gap effectively. As societal expectations for Research and Innovation (R&I) intensify, RMAs will become indispensable "Impact Agents," requiring ongoing upskilling and formal recognition.

In Horizon Europe proposals, 'impact' has transitioned from a sideline element to a core focus, meticulously outlined during the proposal stage. This shift has given rise to the "pathways to impact" framework, now a cornerstone for pre-award RMAs across Europe. However, this evolution has also sparked a competitive environment, where proposal coordinators deal with the challenge of over-promising impacts.

While the scientific community has established mechanisms for generating and measuring scientific impact, the roadmap for realizing economic and societal benefits remains less defined. This presents a compelling opportunity—and an urgent need—for RMAs to evolve into specialized "Impact Agents."

To excel in this role, RMAs must master a multifaceted skill set, including stakeholder engagement, science diplomacy, and bidirectional science-policy communication. Additionally, expertise in strategic dissemination, exploitation pathways, event organization, networking, and creative problem-solving is vital. This new RMA profile calls for the development of innovative training modules and processes, tailored to meet these evolving demands.
We will present case studies, including the upcoming EARMA impact training program, to illustrate how this transformation is already underway. Additionally, we will explore future scenarios, outlining recommended strategies for the continuous training and upskilling of RMAs as they evolve into specialized "Impact Agents."