Best practices in research assessment reform across Europe. Study document

Purpose of the Study

This study was conducted by UEFISCDI as part of its pilot activities within the SECURE – Sustainable Careers for Researcher Empowerment project, funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme. The project aims to develop coordination and support measures for enhancing research careers and reducing their precarity. A key aspect of fostering sustainable research careers is improving the way research and researchers are evaluated—an area in which funders, research organizations, and policymakers each have important responsibilities.

Against this backdrop, UEFISCDI undertook this study to explore and document best practices in research assessment reform across Europe, with the goal of supporting efforts at national and European levels to align with evolving principles such as those promoted by the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). The study aims to contribute to the evidence base needed for policy development and institutional change, by showcasing concrete examples of research assessment reform already implemented or in progress.

Motivation for the Study

UEFISCDI has recently developed its institutional Action Plan for CoARA (available here), and this study was carried out in parallel as a learning and evidence-gathering process. The selection of cases—FNR Luxembourg, Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), DFG Germany, and the European Research Council (ERC)—reflects an intention to include both research funding organizations and research-performing institutions, offering a diversity of perspectives and implementation contexts.

The primary motivation behind this review is to inform research communities and policymakers by presenting tested practices, reform approaches, and lessons learned from pioneering organizations in the field. Through structured interviews and desk research, this study sheds light on how different actors have approached reform—what has worked, what challenges were encountered, and what impact the changes have had so far. The hope is that these insights will inspire and guide future change initiatives at different levels across Romania and beyond.