The definition used and shared by Italian Research Managers is the one elaborated by the RAAAP project, Research Administration as a Profession Worldwide, adapted to the Italian context:

Professionals whose role or activities, or a significant part of them, are aimed at supporting the Research life cycle as a whole

The activities characterizing the RMA include:

• the strategic planning of research activities;
• the planning of services to support research;
• lobbying activities;
• networking activities;
• the promotion of research;
• the activities in support of the planning in the pre and post-award phases (identification of the funding sources and of the specific recipients, support in the preparation of the projects, elaboration of the budget and the cost plan, submission of the project, drafting and negotiation of contracts with funding bodies, support in joint activities with partners, bridging activities with the areas within the body/institution to which they belong – in particular finance, purchasing, personnel- reporting to the funding body);
• support and consultancy activities on the impact of research, innovation, valorization of research;
• support in the planning of training courses related to the activities carried out;
• implementation of research policies and strategies;
• activities related to research monitoring and evaluation, data processing, research integrity, research communication, ethics, information systems, audits, research statutory returns; activities to support the career development of researchers.