Managing National and European R&D Projects in the Rail Sector: A Case Study of Research Project Management and Science-Industry Collaboration

Research and development (R&D) projects constitute a key mechanism for the development of research institutions, enabling knowledge creation, strengthening organizational capacity, and fostering collaboration with industry. The aim of this article is to identify and compare selected elements of management in national and European R&D projects in the rail sector, with particular emphasis on their role in supporting technology transfer and science–industry collaboration.

The study addresses the following research question: what are the main differences and similarities in the management of R&D projects at the national and European levels, and how do these differences influence the development of research institutions?

The article contributes to the existing literature by proposing a comparative framework of R&D project management models and by identifying their complementary role in enhancing both strategic capabilities and implementation effectiveness within research institutions. The research is based on a literature review, comparative analysis of project documentation, and a case study of projects implemented by the Railway Research Institute.

The results indicate that European projects strengthen internationalization, strategic competencies, and long-term innovation potential, whereas national projects support rapid implementation, technology transfer, and stronger relationships with domestic stakeholders. Despite the growing interest in R&D project management, relatively little attention has been paid in the literature to comparative analyses of projects implemented at national and European levels, particularly in the rail transport sector. There is also a limited number of studies examining these projects from the perspective of research institutions and their capacity for technology transfer and collaboration with industry.

The study also highlights the role of R&D projects as instruments of institutional marketing and relationship building with external stakeholders. The findings indicate that effective project management contributes not only to innovation performance but also to strengthening the visibility, credibility, and collaboration potential of research institutions in both national and international environments.