Lenka Chvojková from the Technology Centre Prague elected Chair of CZARMA

Lenka Chvojková from the Technology Centre Prague has been elected Chair of the Czech Association of Research Managers and Administrators (CZARMA). An expert in the financial and administrative rules of European research programmes and a long-standing advocate for the research management community, she helped establish the association in 2022 and has served on its Board since its inception.

CZARMA was established in 2022 as a professional association bringing together people involved in research management who provide specialist support to research teams and the leadership of research organisations. Their work ranges from project preparation and management to financial and legal matters, the development of international cooperation, human resources policies and strategic planning within research organisations. The association connects this professional community, encourages the exchange of knowledge and experience, provides opportunities for professional development and seeks greater recognition for work that often remains behind the scenes of scientific achievements.

CZARMA also acts as a partner to research funders, public authorities and other stakeholders involved in research policy. It brings practical experience into discussions on research funding and management rules, contributes to consultations on legislative and economic policy documents, and cooperates with similar professional associations abroad. Its activities therefore extend beyond supporting its members: CZARMA also helps shape the conditions in which research is conducted in Czechia and strengthens connections with the wider European research community.

From European grant rules to supporting the research management community

Lenka Chvojková is a National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe at the Technology Centre Prague and Deputy Head of the National Information Centre for European Research. She also coordinates activities relating to the financial, legal and administrative aspects of European framework programmes.

She has worked in research project support since 2007 and gained further experience at the Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research (CZELO) in Brussels. She coordinates cooperation among National Contact Points from more than 25 countries. She is a national ambassador for the RM Roadmap project and a national contact for the European Research Area initiative on research management (ERA Action on Research Management).

She has also long been involved in facilitating the exchange of experience among Czech research organisations. She helped establish a working group of financial and project managers from universities and institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences. This subsequently developed into FINPRA, the working group on financial and legal management, which she now leads at the Technology Centre Prague. She also organises meetings of heads of project support offices within the Czech National Information Network for EU Framework Programmes (NINET).

New leadership aims to improve working conditions in research management

As Chair, Lenka Chvojková intends to work with the newly elected Board to build on the association's activities, focusing particularly on professional development opportunities for those who support research teams and the leadership of research organisations. Other priorities include greater recognition of their professional role, stable support structures for their work and stronger cooperation between research organisations, funding bodies and public authorities.

“What will my goal be? To work together to improve conditions for research management, so that the people who support researchers receive the support they need and have opportunities to develop professionally,” she said when announcing her election.

Her appointment as Chair builds on long-standing efforts to professionalise research support in Czechia. Strong professional and management support enables researchers to develop their ideas, prepare international projects and devote more time to research itself. Through its activities, CZARMA aims to help create the best possible conditions for researchers and support high-quality research in Czechia.

More information about the association: www.czarma.cz