swissuniversities and the Swiss National Science Foundation have signed the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment by Science Europe and the EUA. By signing the Agreement, swissuniversities supports that evaluation criteria for research are further developed, focus on quality and impact, and recognise the diversity of research activities, practices and outcomes. The promotion of young researchers and diverse careers is central to the success of Swiss universities and their impact on society. For example, the Swiss Higher Education Policy Coordination 2025-28 states that universities are committed to considering new criteria for evaluating scientific careers, e.g., in the course of implementing the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). swissuniversities signed DORA and thus supports the development that scientific careers are evaluated with new criteria that also promote non-traditional careers.
The agreement will be presented by Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Education, Culture and Youth, at the European Commission's Research& Innovation Days taking place today. The work on this Agreement started in January 2022 in a collaboration of Science Europe and the EEA and was supported by the European Commission. The agreement was published on July 20, 2022 and is now open for signature.
The goals of the Agreement can also be aligned with the efforts of Open Science. Currently, different approaches and contributions to the topic of further development of research assessment are promoted within swissuniversities in the context of the action plans for Open Access and Open Research Data. Implementation of efforts to develop assessment criteria and related discussions with research communities are to be addressed by HEIs within the context of their respective strategies and in consideration of disciplinary diversity.
swissuniversities supports the reform by continuing to share results and developments with the community. Except for the support of projects through PgB funding, swissuniversities does not evaluate research projects, researchers, research units or researching organisations. swissuniversities will participate appropriately in the international consortium.
For further information:
The Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions on the Agreement
European Research and Innovation Days, 29-29 Sep 2022
European Research Area talk on Reforming Research Assessment