Ukrainian professionals are invited to join the RIFF Programme in Research Infrastructure Management Fundamentals, developed within the framework of the RIFF – Research Infrastructures for the Future of Ukraine project.
The programme aims to strengthen the management capacity of Ukrainian research infrastructures and provide participants with the knowledge, practical skills and tools needed to establish, develop and manage research infrastructures in line with European standards and good practices.
The training will be delivered in English from January to June 2027 and will consist of two main components: online learning available to all programme participants and hands-on workshops in Ukraine for a limited number of selected participants.
Who can apply?
The programme is intended for current and future leaders of Ukrainian research infrastructures across all scientific fields.
Eligible participants include, in particular:
- directors, managers and coordinators of research infrastructures;
- scientific and administrative staff involved in the management, operation and development of research infrastructures;
- researchers who plan to take on management or leadership roles in research infrastructures in the future;
- staff of universities and research institutions involved in the planning, management, operation or support of research infrastructures;
- representatives of public authorities and professionals involved in policy development, governance and the development of the Ukrainian research infrastructure ecosystem.
The programme is open both to representatives of newly established or developing national research infrastructures and to more mature infrastructures seeking to strengthen their management capacity and integration into the European Research Area.
What does the programme include?
The core component is the Online Learning Pathway – a six-month online programme combining self-paced learning with webinars led by Ukrainian and European experts in the field of research infrastructures.
The curriculum will cover, among other topics:
- the structure and operation of research infrastructures in Europe;
- the European Research Area and the role of ESFRI;
- governance models and organisation of research infrastructures;
- operational and business models;
- establishment and development of research infrastructures;
- governance structures and legal frameworks;
- consortium building and stakeholder engagement;
- access policies;
- user engagement and service provision.
The self-paced component will include pre-recorded lectures, learning materials and case studies available through the University of Milano-Bicocca online platform. Regular webinars of 1–2 hours will also focus on practical management challenges and real-life cases. Recordings will be made available to participants who are unable to attend the live sessions.
The estimated workload is 2–4 hours per week.
Hands-on workshops in Ukraine
In addition, a series of Hands-on Workshops will be organised in Ukraine in a hybrid format within the RIFF project.
The workshops will focus on practical management skills and will include interactive sessions, case studies and peer learning.
The number of places will be limited. Participants will be selected from among those who actively and consistently engage in the Online Learning Pathway.
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the Online Learning Pathway and the final online assessment, participants will receive a Certificate in Research Infrastructure Management Fundamentals issued by the University of Milano-Bicocca.
Key dates
- Application deadline: 15 November 2026
- Notification of selection results: 30 November 2026
- Programme start: January 2027
- Programme duration: January–June 2027
There are no formal restrictions on participation; however, applications will be reviewed by the RIFF project team based on the applicants’ relevance to the programme’s target audience and learning objectives.
More information about the programme:
https://riff.muni.cz/riff-activities/wp5-activities-skill-development#programme-in-research-infrastructure-management-fundamentals
