Research management takes various shapes across the ERA (and beyond), and therefore its definition/scope is multi-dimensional, including but not limited to the following roles:
research policy advice, evidence-based policy making, foresight and strategy development; research coordination, research development, research project and funding management, financial support; evaluation and assessment support; research and complementary training programme management; data-based research support, such as data stewards and data analysts, exploitation of research data, data protection; specialised research infrastructure operation; scientific integrity and ethics expertise, gender perspective support, legal support; science communication support; knowledge transfer and innovation support, knowledge brokering, incubator coordination and business development.

This call intends to support initiatives towards flexible careers for research managers and career diversification of R&I talents towards research management. Actions should create joint virtual and non-virtual training programmes and curricula for research managers and prepare the road to certification and accreditation. Actions should take measures to realise equal opportunities for access to training programmes for staff from across the entire ERA, including from regions with lower R&I intensity.

The call addresses also support for virtual and non-virtual networks of research managers from public research performing and funding organisations at European level, as well as cross-border European operational networks (existing or new), complementing and coordinating existing national initiatives. Focus could be put on equal access for staff to such networks and exchanges, building capacity in regions and institutions of lower R&I intensity.