BESTPRAC Thematic Group Meeting – Bridging the Gap: Project Managers and Research Support Teams in A

We are pleased to share the successful conclusion of the BESTPRAC Thematic Group Meeting, held on October 28-29, 2025, at the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB). The event brought together research managers, project administrators, and finance experts to explore and strengthen the collaboration between Project Managers and Research Support Teams across Europe.

The two-day programme featured insightful keynote speeches, dynamic parallel sessions, and interactive discussions covering topics such as navigating financial challenges in EU projects, building research support services, and fostering emotional wellbeing in research management. Distinguished speakers from various institutions shared their expertise, highlighting best practices and innovative approaches in research administration and project management.

Key highlights included:

• A keynote presentation by Anabel Sánchez on advancing research impact through the EARMA Impact Community.
• Parallel sessions on administration, management, legal, and finance topics led by experienced working group members.
• Engaging discussions on capacity building, hybrid roles, and collaboration strategies within research support teams.

We thank all participants, speakers, and organisers for their valuable contributions, which made this event a meaningful step forward in bridging the gap between project managers and research support teams.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that the next BESTPRAC Thematic Group Meeting will take place in Split, Croatia. Stay tuned for more details and be ready to join us for another inspiring event!