Challenges addressed by the project
The RM Framework project aims to support the development of a European qualification system for research management (RM), enhancing interoperability and improving RM within the European Research Area (ERA). The Framework is designed to guide policy makers, training and networking providers in empowering individual research managers through standardised professional development programmes. By offering a common framework yet maintaining a flexible approach, the project acknowledges the local and national differences across Europe and aims to develop training that raises awareness, improves quality and supports sustainable RM careers.
The RM Framework is a 24-month, EU-funded project under HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ERA-01, with a grant of €1.009.956,25.
Consortium
Coordinator: EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS (EARMA)
Partners: CHE GEMEINNUTZIGES CENTRUM FUR HOCHSCHULENTWICKLUNG GMBH (CHE), HETFA KUTATOINTEZET KFT (HETFA), UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA (UC), AGENCIA DE GESTIO D'AJUTS UNIVERSITARIS I DE RECERCA(AGAUR), GENERALITAT DE CATALUNYA DEPARTAMENT DE RECERCA I UNIVERSITATS (DREU), 4EU+ EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE E.V. (4EU+), UNIWERSYTET WARSZAWSKI (UNIWARSAW), UNIVERZITA KARLOVA (CU), SORBONNE UNIVERSITE (SU), UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO-BICOCCA (UNIMIB), ZENTRUM FUR WISSENSCHAFTSMANAGEMENT E.V. (ZWM), MARIE CURIE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (MCAA), BUDAPESTI CORVINUS EGYETEM (CORVINUS), UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID (UPM), UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CAROL DAVILA DIN BUCURESTI (UMFCD), Ceska asociace manazeru a administratoru ve vyzkumu, z. s. (CZARMA)
Main project objective/mission
By working closely with key stakeholders, the project is developing flexible, tailored solutions - such as a quality label - to support lasting improvements in professional development for research managers across Europe.
Benefits for EARMA community
The EARMA Community of Research Managers and Administrators will benefit from this initiative by contributing to:
- Developing comprehensive training for research managers to address current gaps
- Increasing the visibility and impact of the research management profession within the ERA through a structured, policy-relevant approach
- Strengthening connections with key actors and institutions involved in research policy, training, and career development at the European level
- Creating a competence-based, flexible Handbook that sets clear standards and practical guidelines for research management (RM) training across Europe
- Conducting pilot tests of the Handbook in real-world training contexts, followed by a structured review based on practical experiences
- Establishing a quality label for RM training programmes to support recognition and consistency across Europe
- Sharing results and key learnings across the RM community to encourage broad adoption, engagement, and ongoing dialogue around professional development
Contact
More information is available on the RM Framework website.
Project duration: February 2025 – January 2027
For questions, please contact projects@earma.org.
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101188073
