Abstract

Strategic awards, or large long-term grants exceeding 1 million EUR annually, are crucial in promoting groundbreaking research. They ensure sustained, substantial support for curiosity-driven research at departmental and faculty levels, while forging international networks that bolster further grant acquisitions. However, the burdens and effects of such grants on the administrative leaders who manage them remain less understood. Similarly, the impact of these temporary, yet strategic awards on the career trajectories of the administrators is crucial to explore. In this session, we aim to delve into the challenges and dilemmas faced by Research Management Administrators (RMAs) in Norway.

These grants, announced every five years, typically lead to the formation of a research center, becoming a nexus for groundbreaking work in the field. The leadership usually comprises a director, a deputy, and a head of administration. The role of a research administrator in managing such substantial grants is intricate and multifaceted, yet critically important (Mulfinger et al., 2016).

Administrators must not only possess research support experience but also advanced management and interpersonal skills to effectively coordinate administration, handle budgets, and communicate research findings. While this role undoubtedly enhances career development through gained competencies in external funding acquisition, publication, financial management, and research communication, it raises a question about the future trajectory of such development: will it lead to more research support roles or advanced administrative leadership?

On one hand, administrators at these centers shoulder extensive responsibilities, encompassing both pre-award and post-award support, alongside administrative management. The intimate size of the center, though smaller compared to departmental entities, fosters close connections and trust, which can be instrumental in sustaining the center even post-funding. On the other hand, the limited scale and scope of experience gained at such centers are often deemed insufficient for competing for higher managerial positions, such as administrative manager at the department level or head of section in central administration. Consequently, newly established centers face challenges in attracting and retaining competent heads of administration, who must navigate a myriad of tasks. After a 5 or 10-year tenure, the experience gained may still fall short for advancing to higher leadership roles in RMA.

Reference:
Mulfinger, L. M., Dressler, K. A., James, L. E., Page, N., Serrano, E., & Vazquez, J. (2016). Trends in Large Proposal Development at Major Research Institutions. Journal of Research Administration, 47(1), 40-57.