Vision, Mission, Objectives & History

The association aims to support Research Managers and Administrators (RMAs) in their profession, specifically and in a broad sense 

Vision

Mission

Our mission is to actively support research management professionals in the Netherlands by building a strong, collaborative network that promotes knowledge exchange, professional development and representation as well as advocacy. ARMA-NL welcomes all involved in enabling, facilitating, and supporting the performance of research and innovation in all its applications.

By advancing and promoting the role of research management professionals as essential drivers of excellence and innovation, and helping them connect to peers both nationally and internationally, we strengthen the impact of our professions across institutions and disciplines. We embrace the ‘by and for members’ principle, and celebrate the contributions of all members.

Strategy

The association pursues its mission and vision through a focus on three objectives:

Objectives

1) PROVIDING A NETWORK FOR KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

ARMA-NL is driven by the ambition to build a strong network of research management professionals: within the Netherlands and, by connecting to international networks, beyond. Together, we know more. Within our network, we seek to collect the newest insights and knowledge beneficial to our professions, and improve and innovate upon them. We offer members a platform for knowledge sharing and for innovating our professions. We build connections and foster expertise by organising meetings and events and facilitating content-driven expert groups. By clustering knowledge and experience, we aim to grow into an expertise centre, further enhancing the strength, impact and sustainability of our profession.

2) STIMULATING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ARMA-NL is committed to empowering current and future research management professionals by helping them invest in professional development. We aim to offer tailored training, hands-on workshops and mentoring programs—both for building essential skills and for advancing expertise. We platform peer-to-peer instruction and member-taught initiatives to foster collaborative and mutual learning. In recognizing and providing a stage for the diverse contributions of our members, we ensure their visibility and contribute to their professional advancement within the research ecosystem. By providing the tools to stay attuned to emerging trends and developments in the field, we keep our profession relevant and equip professionals to lead with confidence and agility. 

3) ADVOCATING FOR THE PROFESSION

ARMA-NL is an active advocate for the interests of its members and contributes to the recognition of the research management profession. As a national association with strong international connections, we position ourselves as a valuable discussion partner for policymakers, R&I organisations and decision-makers. In doing so, ARMA-NL helps to shape national and European research and innovation agendas, both in general and with a specific focus on the role and added value of research management professionals.

The milestones we aim to reach on these three trajectories in the current strategic period are outlined in our Strategic Plan 2026-2028. 

History

ARMA-NL originates from the EU Project Managers network in the Netherlands (EUPMAN). In 2007, six project managers came together to discuss and compare the various tasks in managing EU collaborative projects and the communication they had with their EC Project Officers in Brussels. A year later, the first bigger meeting was organized. This led to the organization of two physical meetings per year, kindly made possible by host institutions. No money or bank account was available to organize or pay for even little things like flowers or gifts for presenters. After 10 years of growth, ARMA-NL was initiated as a professional association with a network of over 500 members. We now have around 350 paying members and a big RMA network.

First, the main focus was on people involved in and working on European and (inter-) nationally funded research, innovation, and education projects. The scope of the RMA profession is however much broader and continues to grow, with research becoming ever more complex, involving fields such as ethics, data management, Responsible Research and Innovation, dual use, knowledge security, recognition & reward, etc. Excellent research needs excellent research support. 

The articles of our association state that ‘the association aims to support Research Managers and Administrators (RMAs) in their profession, specifically and in a broad sense’. ARMA-NL is now dedicated to all those who identify as belonging to the RMA profession, in the broadest sense possible. They are the leadership, management and/or support of research and innovation activities. 

ARMA-NL collaborates closely with the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA), which represents the community in Europe, and the global community as member of the International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS).

Endorsed Statements

Hiroshima Statement

At the INORMS International Congress in May 2021, the Hiroshima Statement was formally signed by members of the INORMS Council. An initiative led by RMAN-J, the Research Manager and Administrator Network Japan, the Statement enshrines a set of 5 principles and responsibilities common to the collective memberships of INORMS member associations.

Botswana Statement

The Botswana Statement is a policy document with a call for investment in, the recognition of, and a career framework for, professional research managers and administrators globally. The statement was endorsed by the INORMS Council at its meeting 23 April 2024. By endorsing the statement, ARMA-NL contributes to the global need for recognition of the profession and the further global visibility of the RM community. The proposal was initiated as a result of the INORMS 2023 conference in Durban, South Africa. It forms a natural step forward for INORMS, where the 2021 Hiroshima Statement was the first joint leap forward. Now, a foundation for moving forward towards the formulation of an internationally recognized career framework for research and managers has been laid.