EARMA Annual Conference 2026 — Utrecht

The EARMA Annual Conference is the leading annual European conference for research managers and administrators (RMAs). Under the theme “Empowering Research Managers and Administrators as Leaders for Impact,” the three-day conference brings together an international community of RMAs for plenary sessions, interactive workshops, knowledge sharing, and networking. The social program is organized by ARMA-NL, the Dutch professional association for research managers and administrators.

The European platform for research management and administration

The European Association for Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA) is the European umbrella organization for professionals working in research management and administration at universities, research institutions, and funding agencies. The annual EARMA conference is the largest European professional conference in this field and offers a platform for knowledge sharing, peer learning, and the further professionalization of the field. The 2026 edition is hosted by ARMA-NL (the Dutch professional association for RMAs) and will take place in the Beatrix Hall of the Jaarbeurs Utrecht.

Theme and program

The conference theme is “Empowering Research Managers and Administrators as Leaders for Impact”—with an emphasis on leadership at all levels: from team management and strategy development to driving change within the research infrastructure. The three-day program includes inspiring plenary sessions, interactive parallel sessions, pre-conference workshops, and extensive networking opportunities. ARMA-NL will provide the full social program surrounding the conference, with activities such as a morning run, yoga, a bike tour, city walks, and a pétanque evening, as well as post-conference site visits to Dutch research institutions on May 8th.

Who is the EARMA Conference for?

The conference is aimed at research managers and administrators working at universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutes, and research funders across Europe—from experienced professionals to those just starting out in the field. Scholarships are available for new EARMA members and participants from low- and middle-income countries (up to €800 per scholarship).

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