ERA actions on Research Management

The European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda 2022-2024 launched by the Pact for Research and Innovation included an action dedicated to Research Management, the so-called ERA Action 17. It aimed to strengthen the strategic capacity of Europe’s public research performing and funding organizations by focusing on upskilling research managers, improving their recognition, enhancing networking opportunities, and building institutional capacity. It addressed challenges like uneven expertise distribution, the need for specialized training, and the lack of formal recognition for research managers. The initiative resulted in important steps paving the way to the recognition of the profession, however, the need for further improvements in indicated by the fact that the Policy Agenda 2025-2027 also includes a dedicated action to the topic, under the title “the new ERA of Research Management”.

"Empowering R&I: A New ERA in Research Management" aims to strengthen the recognition and career development of research managers in Europe. It seeks to improve access to training and upskilling tools, including AI guidance, and create a Europe-wide learning and skills development scheme with peer-to-peer learning and mobility. The initiative will promote better networking between public organizations, research funders, and industry to enhance professional development and career paths. Key outcomes include launching a flexible careers framework in 2025, creating a European Charter for research managers in 2026, and establishing an online hub for training and certification under the ERA Talent Platform in 2027. This action addresses the growing need for specialized research management support to boost the efficiency and impact of the European R&I system.

ERA Platform: https://european-research-area.ec.europa.eu/