GET RECOGNISED AS A RESEARCH MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
Elevating the profession of research management in Africa and globally
International professional recognition council
Get Recognition.
Elevating the professional of Research Management in the region and globally
Professional recognition is granted to research managers (including administrators) for their professional knowledge, based on prior learning, experience, functional and transferable expertise, regardless of whether such competencies were achieved formally.
It constitutes an award or endowment which acknowledges the expertise and accomplishment of the research manager.
Professional recognition is awarded through the review of a portfolio of evidence by peers on the IPRC.
There are three options for the recognition of prior learning, expertise and experience: Research Administration Professional, Research Management Professional, and Senior Research Management Professional.
Research Administration professional (RaP)
This designation recognises new entrants to the profession (one to three years in a research administration or management role) or those who have been in the profession for some time but who have not yet advanced professionally. In both cases, the purpose would be to instil a professional identity, and, depending on personal preference, either to be recognised as a RAP on a professional development trajectory towards becoming an RMP or to maintain recognition as a RAP. The applicant must be a member of a professional research management association.
The online application and portfolio of evidence must include the following:
- Applicant information
- Qualifications information
- Employment information
- Description of research administration/management responsibilities
- Information on the institutional/organisational type and context
- Membership of professional research management association(s)
- Research administration/management training completed (It is expected that prior training completed would add up to at least 20 contact hours.)
- Professional activities and contributions
- Self-assessment of current competence (against the Professional Competency Framework – read more under “Professional recognition”), and motivation for the self-assessment
- Professional development plan
- Endorsement by the line manager / supervisor
- Applicant declaration
The IPRC will use established criteria to review applications on a case-by-case basis. Successful applicants will receive a formal notification and a certificate confirming the professional designation. Unsuccessful candidates will receive written feedback and may lodge an appeal, should they not agree with the outcome of the review.
The designation is valid for a period of five years. The following is required to renew this designation:
- Continued membership of a professional research management association
- Satisfactory progress as measured against the professional development plan
RAPs on a professional development trajectory towards becoming RMPs are encouraged to apply for RMP status as soon as they meet the requirements.
| Application | |
| Africa | R3 000,00 |
| Other continents | R6 000,00 |
| Re-recognition (renewal) in the same category | |
| Africa | R2 000,00 |
| Other continents | R5 000,00 |
* These amounts exclude applicable taxes, such as value added tax in South Africa.
Research Management Professional (RMP)
This designation is aimed at mid- to advanced career research managers with an undergraduate qualification and a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience OR a minimum of five years’ relevant work experience. The applicant must be a member of a professional research management association.
The online application and portfolio of evidence must include the following:
- Applicant information
- Qualifications information
- Employment information
- Description of research management responsibilities
- Information on the institutional/organisational type and context
- Membership of professional research management association(s)
- Professional activities and contributions (It is expected that an RMP will record activities and contributions in at least two of the categories outlined in the application form.)
- Self-assessment of current competence (against the Professional Competency Framework – read more under “Professional recognition”), and motivation for the self-assessment
- Research management training completed (It is expected that prior training completed would add up to at least 60 contact hours. Applicants who do not fully meet this requirement but who exceed the expectations in the other performance areas, may submit a detailed motivation as to why this requirement has not been met and what could be considered in its place.)
- Statement of professional commitment to research management
- Endorsement by the line manager / supervisor
- Applicant declaration
The IPRC will use established criteria to review applications on a case-by-case basis. Successful applicants will receive a formal notification and a certificate confirming the professional designation. Unsuccessful candidates will receive written feedback and may lodge an appeal, should they not agree with the outcome of the review.
The designation is valid for a period of 5 years. The following is required to renew this designation:
- Continued membership of a professional research management association
- Accumulation of 60 training points through continuing professional development training activities (e.g. workshops, webinars, courses). (It will not be immediate, but in time only training that has been reviewed and allocated training points by the IPRC will be considered.)
- Continued contributions to research management at a management level
RMPs may apply for SRMP at any time if they meet the requirements for SRMP status.
| Application | |
| Africa | R5 000,00 |
| Other continents | R10 000,00 |
| Re-recognition (renewal) in the same category | |
| Africa | R4 000,00 |
| Other continents | R8 000,00 |
* These amounts exclude applicable taxes, such as value added tax in South Africa.
Senior Research Management Professional (SRMP)
This designation recognises senior research managers serving in a leadership or strategic role with a postgraduate qualification at a master’s degree level or beyond and 5 years of relevant work experience. Seniority in this context is based on achievement and not necessarily on the time in the profession. The applicant must be a member of a professional research management association.
The online application and portfolio of evidence must include the following:
- Applicant information
- Qualifications information
- Employment information
- Description of research management responsibilities
- Information on the institutional/organisational type and context
- Membership of professional research management association(s)
- Professional activities and contributions (It is expected that a SRMP will record activities and contributions in at least four of the nine categories outlined in the application form.)
- Research management training completed (It is expected that prior training completed would add up to at least 60 contact hours. Applicants who do not fully meet this requirement but who exceed the expectations in the other performance areas, may submit a detailed motivation as to why this requirement has not been met and what could be considered in its place.)
- Self-assessment of current competence (against the Professional Competency Framework (PCF) – read more under “Professional recognition”) and a competency write-up
- Statement of professional commitment to research management
- Endorsement by the line manager / supervisor
- Applicant declaration
The IPRC will use established criteria to review applications on a case-by-case basis. Successful applicants will receive a formal notification and a certificate confirming the professional designation. Unsuccessful candidates will receive written feedback and may lodge an appeal, should they not agree with the outcome of the review.
The designation is valid for a period of five years. The following is needed to renew this designation:
- Continued membership of a professional research management association
- Demonstration of a continued role in research management leadership and continued contributions to the profession
| Application | |
| Africa | R8 000,00 |
| Other continents | R16 000,00 |
| Re-recognition (renewal) in the same category | |
| Africa | R6 400,00 |
| Other continents | R12 800,00 |
* These amounts exclude applicable taxes, such as value added tax in South Africa.
Show Competence
Confirms that the professional has been recognised by peers as having demonstrated core and transferable (cross-cutting) competencies in research management.
Displays Achievements
Confirms that the professional has contributed to significant achievements and impact in research management in their particular context.
Affirms Standing
Recognition affirms professionals’ standing in research management in the global context and clears their future career path.
Shows Dedication
Renewal confirms continuing development of skills and growth as a professional.
Professional satisfaction
Recognition provides the professional satisfaction of achieving the criteria of the peer review process.
Nana Oye Akuffo shares her career journey and what inspired her to apply for professional recognition.
Read More »International Professional Recognition council
Apply for professional recognition today
Co-funded by:
