ERMA project addresses a structural gap in the European Research Area. Research managers are essential to the success of publicly funded research and innovation (R&I), yet the profession remains fragmented, underrecognised, and without a clear pan-European framework for career development or professional recognition.

The goal

ERMA brings together 13 partners to build the infrastructure that research management in Europe has been missing. At its core is the ERMKNet Hub, a centralised online platform that will connect aspiring and current research managers, their employers, and the wider R&I ecosystem across Europe. The hub serves as a one-stop-shop for networking, collaborative learning, career development and job searching, built specifically for the research management profession and freely accessible to all.

Main objectives

• Establish a Pan-European Collaborative Network of research management practitioners and their employers, anchored by an online hub with thematic Communities of Practice.
• Provide free, personalised career development services, including a recommender system for learning, mentoring and job opportunities, tailored to each user’s profile and aspirations.
• Increase awareness of the value of research management (RM) among institutional leaders and policymakers, with dedicated national campaigns in 10 EU Widening countries.
• Develop and disseminate policy recommendations and good practice guidelines for research organisations and national R&I policymakers across the EU.

Key activities

• Launch and operate the ERMKNet Hub with thematic Communities of Practice, virtual meetups, and an open catalogue of professional development opportunities.
• Develop a career recommender system based on existing competency frameworks enabling personalised guidance for research managers at all career stages.
• Organise national roundtables and awareness campaigns showcasing the real-world impact of research management on research outcomes and societal challenges.
• Produce policy briefs (translated into the languages of all 10 Widening countries) and institutional guidelines on good RM practice.

Who is ERMA for?

ERMA serves anyone whose work touches research management, from people just entering the field to senior professionals looking to grow. The primary audiences are aspiring and current research managers, HR professionals and managers at research performing and funding organisations, career advisors, and educational institutions. Policymakers at national and EU level are also a key target group, particularly in Widening countries where the profession is least developed and the need for systemic change is greatest.

Project consortium

The ERMA consortium consists of 13 partners from 12 countries. The project is coordinated by FOUND.ATION Maker’s Place (Greece).

PEDAL Consulting leads key activities in:

• Developing and executing national awareness campaigns in Widening countries.
• Promoting the ERMKNet Hub and its services to target communities.
• Fostering engagement within the virtual thematic Communities of Practice.

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ERMA project kicks off to reshape research management across Europe – PEDAL Consulting
Posted by admin on 1 July 2026