In 2026, together with a consortium of colleagues from other European countries, I received a European Commission grant under the Horizon Europe program. The project’s name is: REALISE: Responsible Evaluation and Assessment Leading to Inclusive Scholarly Excellence.
The project aims to develop a research foundation for reforming the science system in Europe. We want to combine existing sources of knowledge on trends in science management, particularly its evaluation. The guiding principle of the project is Responsible Research Assessment. The goal is to create a transparent and understandable source of information for decision-makers.
The grant will be implemented between 2026 and 2029.
Units participating in the project:
1 KNOW CENTER RESEARCH GMBH Austria (Coordinator)
2 UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN NL Partner
3 STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT NL Partner
4 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH UK Partner
5 AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIO ES Partner
6 UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA PT Partner
7 TIETEELLISTEN SEURAIN VALTUUSKUNNASTA FI Partner
8 UNIWERSYTET SWPS PL Partner
9 PENSOFT PUBLISHERS
Detailed description:
The need to reform research assessment practices is widely recognized, in Europe and globally. However, despite influential initiatives such as DORA and CoARA, the implementation of research assessment reform has been a slow process.
Research organisations, policy makers, and reform advocates are working on implementing assessment reforms with only very limited evidence to guide their efforts. REALISE will pursue an ambitious research agenda focused on developing a systematic evidence base for research assessment reform, leveraging strong existing links to key initiatives. In co-creation with a broad range of stakeholders , we will
(1) create a knowledge base that synthesizes existing evidence on assessment reform and identifies evidence gaps,
(2) study how various assessment tools and methods can best be used to improve research assessment, and
(3) investigate novel approaches to assessment reform and institutional culture change.
Among other things, we will deliver
(1) an online platform that synthesizes the evidence base on research assessment reform,
(2) new evidence on the efficacy and impact of different types of research assessment tools and methods,
(3) a practical, validated framework for guiding implementation of responsible research assessment in institutions and systems at different stages of reform readiness, and (4) recommendations for effective implementation of research assessment reform tailored to the local context of research organisations.
Our work will inform assessment reform efforts made by research performing and research funding organisations. It will also support the work of initiatives like DORA and CoARA aimed at promoting research assessment reform. In this way, REALISE will make an important contribution to strengthening the European research system, increasing returns on investments in research, and creating more attractive career opportunities for researchers.
Detailed information about the call:
Call: HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06
(Enhancing the European R&I system)
Topic: HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-03
Type of Action: HORIZON-RIA
(HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions)).