Intermediate to senior-level RMAs who manage multiple projects and seek to develop strategic approaches to sustainable research funding. Particularly relevant for pre-award managers, research impact officers, and strategic funding advisors with at least 3 years of experience.
Workshop content:
Another research project concludes, its funding exhausted, and researchers turn to you asking, "What now?" This all-too-common scenario resonates within research institutions across Europe, leaving Research Management Administrators (RMAs) trapped in a relentless cycle of chasing the next grant, the next project, and the next fleeting success.
To achieve sustainability, this cycle must be broken. RMAs have the opportunity to redefine their roles, shifting from facilitators of short-term funding to architects of sustainable research ecosystems. The goal is to establish a structured ecosystem where today’s projects seamlessly transition into tomorrow’s research programs, advancing your institution’s strategic vision with a continuous stream of impactful, interconnected initiatives.
Join this session to explore the critical link between funding strategies and long-term sustainability. Together, we’ll uncover how RMAs can:
- Craft narratives that transform isolated projects into cohesive research programs.
- Develop sustainability plans that turn one-time grants into seeds for ongoing funding.
- Align individual projects with institutional goals to attract consistent support.
- Leverage past successes to strengthen cases for continued funding.
- Create synergies between diverse funding streams, ensuring a steady resource flow.
Learning Outcomes:
Through interactive discussions and practical examples, participants will gain the ability to:
- Shift from reactive grant-chasing to proactive research ecosystem-building by applying the “Funding Nexus Framework.”
- Develop effective mechanisms to capture and utilize project knowledge for future funding opportunities using the “Impact Ripple System.”
- Position themselves as sustainability leaders within their organization’s research landscape.
By the end of this session, you’ll have the tools and strategies to lead your institution beyond the traditional “feast-or-famine” funding cycle. Instead, you’ll pave the way for a sustainable, impactful research environment that consistently drives your institution forward.
Workshop facilitator
Rita Gil Mata
Rita is the CEO and Co-Founder of FUNDamentally SCIENCE, a company specialising in research funding strategy and sustainability. With 20 years of experience as a Funding Advisor & Research Manager, she has supported more than 800 applications and secured over €30M in funding. Rita has worked with diverse organizations including Universities, Research Centers, Non-Profit Associations, Start-ups and SMEs at national and international levels. A certified trainer in Funding Strategy, Proposal Writing, Research Management, and Open Science, Rita has delivered over 500 hours of capacity-building sessions. She was a Board Member of EARMA and currently serves in the Coordination Group of the Portuguese Network for Research Managers. Her experience includes setting up Research Support Departments, working as a Principal Investigator, and serving as an External Evaluator for international funding agencies. Her workshops focus on empowering researchers and RMAs with strategic skills for sustainable research programs.
