Center for Science & Research Management

What Center for Science & Research Management does

Zentrum für Wissenschaftsmanagement e.V. (ZWM), the Center for Science & Research Management, is a German non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2002 and headquartered in Speyer. It provides continuing education, consulting, and networking services to professionals working in science and research management, serving over 70 institutional members including universities, research organizations, and science policy bodies across Germany and the DACH region.

ZWM's core product is a catalog of multi-week training programs (Lehrgänge) covering science management, research management, career counseling, and core facility management. These are supplemented by compact workshops, themed days, barcamps, and structured online coaching (e.g., a 9-week research proposal writing program priced at €1,140). Supporting products include the WIM'O networking platform for science managers and a biannual magazine, Innovationstreiber, co-published with DUZ. Delivery runs across Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex for online formats and at member or partner venues for in-person events.

Revenue is generated through three channels: per-event and per-course fees ranging from €49 to €1,140, institutional and individual membership fees, and project-related income (notably EU-funded programs such as RM Framework). A 20% discount on events incentivizes institutional membership. The organization operates with 14 employees under leadership of Chairman Dieter Kaufmann, Managing Director Henning Rickelt, and Deputy Managing Director Anna Royon-Weigelt.

Name

Center for Science & Research Management

Legal name

Zentrum für Wissenschaftsmanagement e.V.

Website

https://zwm-speyer.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZWM is a German non-profit association providing continuing education, consulting, and networking services to science and research management professionals, serving 70+ universities and research institutions across Germany and the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development and Continuing Education for Science Management

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAHAC

Specialized Master’s in Management (MiM) & Business Analytics

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

SECONDARYEDAFAAAD

Compliance, Certification & Continuing Education LMS

Education/Education Technology (EdTech) & Digital Learning/Learning Management Systems (LMS) & Learning Experience Platforms (LXP)

SECONDARYMPAJABAH

Educational Digital Courseware & Learning Platforms (LMS-Integrated)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/Educational & Academic Publishing (Textbooks, Scholarly, STM)

Keywords

• Science management training
• Research management courses
• Professional development workshops
• Academic leadership programs
• Higher education consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Speyer

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Training and Continuing Education Fees: Revenue generated from structured continuing education programs (Lehrgänge), workshops, online coaching programs, and compact webinars. Pricing varies by format with member discounts of 20% for institutional members and 10% for NWM members.
2. Institutional Membership Fees: Revenue from institutional and individual membership fees, offering benefits including 20% discount on event fees and access to exclusive networking events.
3. Event Fees: Revenue from themed days, lunch & talks, and special events. Some events like the Online-Thementag are priced at 49€ without member discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ZWM is a registered non-profit association (e.V.) that delivers continuing education, consulting, and networking services for science and research management professionals in Germany. Its core offering consists of structured training programs (Lehrgänge), workshops, online coaching programs, and themed events covering science management, research management, career counseling, core facility management, and related topics. Services are delivered through in-person sessions, online formats, and in-house engagements, supplemented by the WIM'O networking platform and the Innovationstreiber alumni magazine.

Product overview

The Zentrum fuer Wissenschaftsmanagement (ZWM) is a professional development and training institution for science and research management, not a software product company. Its portfolio consists of in-person and online training courses, coaching programs, themed events, and networking platforms. Key offerings include the Lehrgang Wissenschaftsmanagement (foundational science management training), Lehrgang Forschungsmanagement (research management course), Online-Lehrgang Forschungsmanagement Advanced (advanced online research management), Lehrgang Karriereberatung (career counseling), Modulprogramm Core Facility Management, and the Online-Coaching-Programm for research proposal writing. Supporting programs include Lunch & Talk discussion events, Online-Thementage (themed days), the biennial ZWM-Alumni-Barcamp, and the Innovationstreiber digital magazine published with DUZ. The WIMO platform serves as an online networking hub for the science management community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WIM'O: Wissenschaftsmanagement Online - networking platform operated by ZWM
• Innovationstreiber
• ZWM Alumni-Barcamp

Products and services

• Lehrgang Wissenschaftsmanagement (Science Management Training Program) A comprehensive training program providing foundational knowledge in science management, covering communication skills, project management, career development, and the German science system. Designed for science management professionals at universities and research institutions.
• Lehrgang Forschungsmanagement (Research Management Training Program) A foundational course in research management covering grant applications, consulting scientists, cross-cutting topics, and project management for professionals new to the field. Targets staff at research institutions and universities.
• Online-Lehrgang Forschungsmanagement Advanced (Advanced Online Research Management Program) An advanced online program for experienced research managers focusing on leadership skills, budget responsibility, research strategy development, and collaborative project management. Delivered online with start date 26 November 2026.
• Lehrgang Karriereberatung (Career Counseling Training Program) A training program for career counseling skills, preparing participants to guide scientists in their career paths with practical consultation methods. Designed for staff at universities' graduate centers and career services.
• Modulprogramm Core Facility Management A three-part modular program covering the entire lifecycle of core facilities at universities and research institutions, providing strategic, organizational, and operational expertise.
• Online-Coaching-Programm Erfolgreiches Schreiben von Forschungsanträgen (Online Coaching Program for Research Grant Writing) A nine-week online coaching program guiding participants through the complete process of writing successful research grant applications, including funding databases, AI tools, and cross-cutting topics. Priced at 1,140€ regular, 912€ for member institutions.
• KI-Agenten in der Forschung - Einsatzfelder, Herausforderungen, Handlungsempfehlungen (AI Agents in Research Compact Webinar) A compact webinar on AI agents in research, addressing application areas, challenges, and recommendations for action.
• Inhouse-Angebote (In-House Training and Consulting) Customized training and consulting services delivered directly to client institutions such as universities and research organizations, tailored to their specific science management needs.
• WIM'O (Wissenschaftsmanagement Online Networking Platform) An online networking platform for science management professionals operated by ZWM, facilitating community exchange and connection among Germany's science management practitioners.
• Institutional and Personal Membership Membership offering providing institutional members with 20% discount on all open training events, access to exclusive networking events, and participation in member surveys. Personal members receive 20% discount if employed by an institutional member.
• Wirkungsvolle Datenvisualisierung für WissenschaftsmanagerInnen (Effective Data Visualization Workshop) A two-part workshop teaching effective data visualization techniques for science managers to present complex information clearly.
• Quick-Tipps Der erfolgreiche Forschungsantrag (Quick Tips for Successful Research Applications Workshop) A compact one-day workshop providing essential tips for creating successful research applications, covering funding databases, evaluation criteria, and application structuring. Priced at 490€ regular, 392€ for member institutions.
• ZWM Consulting Services Consulting services for science and research management, advising institutions on professional management frameworks, organizational development, and science management best practices.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FORTRAMA e.V. (Netzwerk für Forschungs- und Transfermanagement)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026Formalized cooperation agreement between ZWM and FORTRAMA for joint research management training programs. FORTRAMA members receive 20% discount on the two research management courses. Both organizations hold mutual memberships. FORTRAMA contributes practitioner expertise and trainers to the programs.
• Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung und Finanzen LudwigsburgminorOthers · 2 July 2026New institutional member since July 2026. One of over 70 member institutions supporting ZWM's mission.
• Hochschule BremenminorOthers · 8 January 2026Institutional member supporting ZWM's networking and professional development mission.
• European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025European professional association for research managers. ZWM holds membership and participates in European professionalization initiatives.
• CHE Centrum für HochschulentwicklungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2024German partner in the EU-funded RM Framework project (2025-2027) developing European qualification systems for research managers. CHE leads development of curriculum handbook; ZWM leads analysis of existing frameworks and train-the-trainer activities.
• Netzwerk Wissenschaftsmanagement (NWM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2024Systematic cooperation to leverage synergies between network building (NWM) and professional training (ZWM). Includes 10% discount for NWM members on ZWM events, mutual trainer referrals, joint content development, and cross-promotion of events.
• DUZ Verlags- und Medienhaus / DUZ WissenschaftskarriereminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia partnership for the Innovationstreiber alumni magazine published twice yearly. ZWM provides content; DUZ handles publishing and distribution.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• NCURA (National Council of University Research Administrators): US-based professional association for university research administrators offering training, credentialing, and conferences. Operates in a different geography but serves an analogous function for research management professionals internationally.
• ARMA (Association of Research Managers and Administrators UK): UK professional association for research managers and administrators offering training and credentialing. Comparable audience and mission to ZWM in a different national market.

Others

• Bayerisches Staatsinstitut für Hochschulforschung und Hochschulplanung (IHF): Bavarian state institute for higher education research and planning. Connected to ZWM through Prof. Welpe on the supervisory board; operates in adjacent higher education research and policy space in Germany.
• INORMS (International Network of Research Management Societies): International umbrella network of research management societies including EARMA. Provides ecosystem context for ZWM's European professionalization agenda and connects to global standards work.
• DUZ Verlags- und Medienhaus: German academic media house that co-publishes ZWM's Innovationstreiber alumni magazine and hosts its regular column. Adjacent media partner serving the same German science management audience.

Broad incumbents

• CHE Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung: Established German higher education think tank that partners with ZWM on the EU RM Framework project. Operates as a larger, broader higher education consultancy/development organization with overlapping audience but wider portfolio.

Direct peers

• FORTRAMA e.V. German network for research and transfer management. Holds formal cooperation agreement with ZWM including mutual membership and joint training programs; both deliver research management training to the same German research institution audience.
• Netzwerk Wissenschaftsmanagement (NWM): German-speaking network for science management professionals. Operates a systematic cooperation with ZWM including 10% member discount reciprocity and joint trainer referrals; both serve the same Wissenschaftsmanagement audience in Germany.
• EARMA (European Association of Research Managers and Administrators): European professional association for research managers and administrators. ZWM holds membership and participates in joint professionalization initiatives; both organizations target the same research management professional audience with training, events, and credentialing.
• Deutscher Hochschulverband (DHV): German university association with formal cooperation on training programs listed on ZWM's site. Both serve German academic professionals with continuing education and professional development offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZqc_Lq-11Tqnou40ifB86Q
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zentrumf%C3%BCrwissenschaftsmanagement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Science & Research Management