CZARMA Conference and members' meeting

The Czech Association of Research Managers and Administrators (CZARMA) invites you to its annual conference on the theme Funding Agencies in Times of Change, focusing on the evolving rules of research funding and their practical implications for research managers and administrators (RMAs). This year’s conference is hosted by the Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) in the Likeš Auditorium (nám. W. Churchilla 1938/4, 130 67 Prague 3 – Žižkov).

Research funding agencies have been gradually working towards greater alignment of their rules and the simplification of administrative requirements across programmes. This year’s CZARMA conference will build on the panel discussion with funding agencies held at the 2023 conference and will explore how harmonisation efforts have progressed in practice since then. The conference will also focus on changes in funding rules, calls, methodologies, and audit and control mechanisms resulting from broader developments in the research environment, including new legislation (the Act on Research, Development, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer and the amendment to the Higher Education Act), preparations for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), the rise of artificial intelligence, and other systemic and technological transformations. Discussions will primarily address the practical consequences of these changes for the day-to-day work of research managers and administrators.

The conference will be preceded by a first day dedicated to interactive roundtable discussions held in Quattro Modulare, Italian Building of VŠE (nám. W. Churchilla 1938/4, 130 67 Prague 3 – Žižkov). These sessions will focus on effective communication of RMAs within institutions and with funding bodies, providing space for informal experience sharing and open discussion across institutions. The programme will also include the CZARMA General Assembly, held at Quattro Modulare, which will review the association’s activities over the past four years, present key achievements and future directions, and include the election of new members of the Executive Board.

The first day will conclude with an evening networking event at the Louvre Café Gallery (Národní 22, 110 00 Prague 1 – New Town).

The conference will also feature a poster session.

PROGRAMME – download here