CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION OF RESEARCH MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

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Call for applications for professional recognition of research managers and administrators

The International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC) invites you to join the growing number of recognised professionals.
Don’t miss the next opportunity to submit your application.

Professional recognition constitutes an award of professional status, which acknowledges the expertise and accomplishment of professionals through the review of a portfolio of evidence by peers on the Technical Review Committee of the IPRC. The portfolio of evidence provides documented proof of prior learning, competencies, experience, contributions, and achievements.

Once awarded, the professional designation is valid for five years, after which the status can be renewed or upgraded.

Why apply for professional recognition?

Professional recognition confirms to employers, colleagues and others in the research management space that the individual has demonstrated core and transferable (cross-cutting) competencies, and that the individual has made significant contributions to research management. It affirms standing in a global context and it provides an impetus for further professional development.

Who can apply?

Any research manager/administrator who meet the requirements can apply for one of the following designations:

Research Administrator Professional (RAP)

This designation recognises individuals with one to three years’ experience and those who have been in the profession for some time but who have not yet advanced professionally. The purpose is to instil a professional identity, and to establish a professional development trajectory towards becoming an RMP, or to maintain recognition as a RAP.

Research Management Professional (RMP)

This designation recognises 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 without a qualification.

Senior Research Management Professional (SRMP)

This designation recognises senior research managers who serve in leadership or strategic roles. They are required to hold a postgraduate qualification at a master’s level or beyond and have five years of relevant work experience.

For all categories, applicants must be a current member of any professional research management association.

Application and review process

(1)      Visit the IPRC website (https://iprcouncil.com/) and review the requirements for the professional category of interest.

(2)      Select ‘Complete the online application’ for the relevant professional category. You will be required to create an account to log into the application system. On the website, please consult FAQ’s ‘How do I apply’ for further guidance.

(3)      Complete and submit the online application and pay the application fee by the deadline. Fees can be paid online with a credit card or applicants can request an invoice upon submission of the application.

(4)      Application is screened for completeness and to confirm that the requirements are met.  

(5)      Peers serving on the IPRC Technical Review Committee review the application.

(6)      Outcome communicated to the applicant within three months of submission depending on the number of applications to be reviewed.

(7)   Successful applicants add the awarded designation to their credentials.

The application system will open on 30 November and is available in English and French. The application form is available in English and French. A limited number of Application Fee Grants are available. Keep an eye out for the announcement and attend the guidance webinar to learn more about these grants.

Submission dates

Applicants can start with their applications at any time for submission on any of the two closing dates. Applications submitted, and fees paid by the deadline will be processed for review. Late or incomplete applications will stand over to a next submission date.

It is strongly advised that applicants start as early as possible with the application.

Resources and support

·          Attend a professional recognition guidance webinar:

6 December 2023 from 11:00-12:30 GMT (13:00-14:30 SAST) in French (click here to register by 4 December)

11 December 2023 from 11:00 – 12:30 GMT (13:00-14:30 SAST) in English (click here to register by 8 December)

·          Visit the IPRC website at https://iprcouncil.com/

·          View the list of recognised professionals to see if someone at your institution or in your region can offer advice and support with your application (click here for the list of recognised professionals)

·          Download the IPRC brochure in English / French / Portuguese (https://iprcouncil.com/about-2/)

·          Contact the IPRC Secretariat: Dr Karin Dyason at karin@sarima.co.za

Acknowledging our funding partners

We gratefully acknowledge co-funding for the Professionalisation of Research Management Project from the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) hosted at the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank and WHO; ESSENCE on Health Research initiative, the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, the Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa, the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the Research Management Programme (ReMPro) in Africa.