Beáta Lázár Senior Communication Expert at HÉTFA, delivered a plenary presentation to the Research Management community at the EARMA BESTPRAC Thematic Group Event held in Split, Croatia, on 28–29 October 2026. Her presentation, Creating Value for the Community through Projects, explored how projects can create lasting value for the Research Management community through the example of two Horizon Europe projects – MAPIT and RM Framework – in which HÉTFA plays a key role.
Under the theme “Joining the Dots: The Collaborative Power of Research Management,” this year’s BESTPRAC event explored how Research Management can become more effective, strategic and impactful by strengthening connections across the research ecosystem. As modern research increasingly depends on cooperation between researchers, institutions, funders, policymakers, industry partners and support services, Research Managers and Administrators play a central role in enabling these interactions and creating successful research environments.
The plenary presentation addressed the question of how projects can create value that lasts beyond the funding period. Focusing on three key dimensions – sustainability, synergy and support for the professional community – it showed how project results can be transformed into knowledge, skills, services and professional relationships that remain useful in the longer term. Drawing on the work of HÉTFA RM LAB, the presentation also illustrated how new initiatives can build on the results of previous projects, helping to continuously strengthen the European Research Management community.
This idea of lasting value was illustrated through two Horizon Europe projects in which HÉTFA has played a key role, and whose results can continue to contribute to the development of the Research Management community beyond the lifetime of the projects.
The MAPIT Horizon Europe project aimed to strengthen connections between innovative SMEs, research entities and European R&I networks, while fostering sustainable international partnerships. By upskilling R&I managers, supporting internationalisation and strengthening university–industry collaboration, MAPIT contributed to capacity building across its partner institutions. HÉTFA led Work Package 4, the Future Studies Programme, which supported partner institutions through training, study visits, short-term secondments and institutional development plans.
The RM Framework Horizon Europe project aims to establish common European framework conditions for training programmes dedicated to Research Managers and to contribute to the development of a European qualification system for Research Management. Among its key outputs are a handbook for developing high-quality RM training programmes and a Quality Label designed to improve the quality and interoperability of Research Management training across the European Research Area. HÉTFA leads the project’s Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation Work Package.
The BESTPRAC event also provided valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing and discussions on current challenges and emerging trends in Research Management and Administration. It was a pleasure to take part in the event and present the work of HÉTFA RM LAB, as well as projects that contribute to strengthening the Research Management profession and the European professional community.
Learn more about the projects presented:
www.rm-framework.eu
https://mapitproject.eu/