IPMA Festival of Knowledge is an international event gathering together stakeholders in the discipline of project management. The event is aimed at enabling the discussion and exchange of knowledge, as well as its promotion, dissemination and transfer to the lead users. This event is directed towards creating and strengthening the partnership between science and industry. Each subsequent edition of the Festival has its mission and refers to a particular segment of project management discipline, with the main objective being the presentation of an expertise and research results in the subject matter of the Festival. Each edition is also aimed at the exchange of information and experience, the creation of new joint initiatives and project ideas. The representatives of science have the opportunity to present recent developments that have the substantial implementing potential in industry while the industrial representatives can gain knowledge about current research offer at national market and abroad. The Festival is organized in different parts of the world, and in each case it focuses on the specific topic within the discipline of project management that belongs to the scientific and industrial partners' area of interest. The event is always organized by the substantial competence center in the country where the Festival takes place, with the Research Management Board of the International Project Management Association (IPMA), in cooperation with the IPMA National Project Management Association. Furthermore, the event can be organized in a partnership with the organizations representing both the industrial and scientific sector.

Leading theme of the Festival, organized this year for the first time in Poland, is the professionalization of the management area in research projects and projects supporting research actions, implemented in the scientific – industrial partnership. The importance of the substantive theme confirms the fact that research projects are classified as a separate group of projects that require specific, individual approach to the issue of their management. They are implemented both by scientific bodies, as well as business organizations interested in the exploitation of the research results. Within the framework of the Festival, the possibilities of creating an effective partnership between science and industry in joint research projects, funded at the domestic and international level, will be presented and discussed. What is more, challenges regarding the management of such projects, including the necessary competence of research managers, as well as needs and challenges for organizations implementing such projects will be discussed.

In Poland, more and more organizations representing both the scientific, and the industrial sector, are interested in mutual, inter-sectorial cooperation, undertaken within the research projects. In the light of this fact, the proper organization of the project team gains importance. The proper organization of the project team refers to the division of roles between the partners, in reference to the process of project management, research project managers' competency profile, and the rules of cooperation with external institutions, funding research works within the available programs. Given the decline of funds available under Structural Funds and Cohesion Funds, the interest in application for projects within the programs of the National Centre for Research and Development and National Science Centre, as well as international projects implemented within subsequent framework programs is constantly growing. Planned for the 2014-2020 EU Framework Programme 'Horizon 2020', clearly announces the integration of available funding sources of research, innovative, and implementing works, available under the ongoing: 7th EU Framework Programme; Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme – CIP and programs of European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Programs mentioned above are dedicated not only for the organizations from the scientific sector, but also for the industry, what indicates the need for professionalization of the management process of such projects.

The reform of science and higher education that has been put into force, has stimulated research and industrial organizations to access for the external funds for research and innovation. Although there are many possibilities of applying for research projects, research-training projects and projects supporting research, funded at the domestic and international level, some key problems regarding the effectiveness of applying for projects and their management are diagnosed. These problems are particularly evident in international projects, which, although being very attractive in terms of levels of funding and opportunities to promote the organization, raise concerns regarding the complexity of the management process. In comparison to organizations from other EU countries, Polish organisations definitely more often appear in projects as partners, rather than coordinators, what is the result of concerns regarding difficulties in managing of such projects. That is why the systematic discussion about the requirements for managers of research projects and the level of institutional preparation of the organizations acting as a partner/coordinator in such projects, is very up to date. What becomes important is the issue of raising the awareness among scientific and industry partners interested in collaboration within projects, about mutual needs and concerns. Thanks to joint actions of Festival's organizers, undertaken for the benefit of professionalizing the management of research projects in Poland, it became possible to organize the IPMA Festival of Knowledge in Cracow. It is the result of the implementation of joint research, publications, both at the domestic and international level, initiatives, and the active participation in international workshops, as well as experience gained in applying and implementation of such projects. We truly believe that the Festival, as a high-quality substantive event, will contribute to the universalization of language in the area of research management and will enable the constructive discussion and gaining professional knowledge regarding research management. Furthermore, we hope that the Festival will enable the establishment of interesting contacts that in the future will result in collaborative research projects.

Young Crew Polska Workshops, dedicated also to young managers of research projects, will accompany the Festival on 23rd November 2012.
Young Crew Workshops 2012 is an event, which for the sixth time is leaving its mark on the map of project management conferences in Poland. This time, the exchange of knowledge and good practices under this initiative will be held on the 24th of November2012 in Krakow. Each year, the continuity and high professionalism of its events,connect people interested in project management in order to develop knowledge and skills in this discipline.
The name 'Young Crew Workshops', is well-known for integrating people who are starting their adventure with project management as well as young Project Managers who want to develop their skills.