In this episode of The Grant Podcast, I continue the Research Management Shorts Series together with Stephanie Harfensteller from FIR an der RWTH Aachen. This time we zoom in on networking. We are sharing the lessons we have both learned the hard way - how years of info-meetings and matchmaking event attendance and unstructured contacts eventually shaped a more structured approach to building networks that actually made sence to our organisations research ambitions. We discuss the importance of conceptualizing your network strategy, mapping different types of networks (thematic, organizational, and influence-based), and identifying the roles that connectors, policy insiders, and topic experts play.

We also break down the practicalities: where to be present, how to be resource-efficient, and what signals tell you if an event is worth your time. From brokerage events and working groups to leveraging your partner network and tapping into the growing European community of research managers (EARMA), this episode offers a guidance for turning networking from an activity into a strategic asset. Whether you're new to the Brussels scene or an experienced research manager, this conversation helps clarify what networking is really about - and how to get better at it.

Time codes:

00:01:51 Introduction

00:03:08 Conceptualizing your network approach

00:23:56 Connecting with funding agencies

00:27:31 Research management networks

00:32:09 Content network