Across multiple countries, pressures to reform research assessment systems are intensifying. National-level reforms are underway in countries like Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, the UK, and the Czech Republic, reflecting a growing focus on improving how research is evaluated. 

Despite this progress, many experts argue that change is still too slow. RoRI’s AGORRA project aims to generate comparative data, evidence and analysis to support and accelerate this transformation across national assessment systems.

We are delighted to launch three major outputs: The RoRI Atlas of Assessment, a new paper proposing a Typology of national research assessment and funding systems, and the 2025 Global Research Council Survey of funder approaches to responsible research assessment.

Together, these resources offer a global view of how research assessment systems are structured, evolving, and being reimagined, providing policymakers and funders with the tools and insights they need to shape more inclusive, effective, and evidence-based approaches.

The RoRI Atlas of Assessment

The Atlas of Assessment is a platform offering expertly curated and quality-assured data on national research assessment systems from around the world.  

With an ambition to include information on systems from all countries, the Atlas aims to expand the typically narrow focus of literature on national research assessment, which often centers on a small number of countries, predominantly from the global north. 

As a non-commercial, publicly available tool, the Atlas serves as an open-access resource for all. Developed collaboratively by metaresearchers within the Research on Research Institute’s AGORRA project, so far the Atlas involves contributions from policymakers and funding administrators across 13 countries. It enables policymakers, institutional leaders, and researchers to explore global trends, identify regional similarities and differences, and conduct in-depth comparative analysis of national research assessment systems.

New typology of national research assessment and funding systems

How are national research assessment systems evolving in response to shifting expectations about the role and impact of publicly funded research? A new RoRI Working Paper examines trends across 13 countries from 2010 to 2024, offering a fresh perspective on how research is evaluated and funded at the national level.

The study introduces a new typology for categorizing research assessment systems and traces key shifts over time, highlighting a gradual move (at least in some contexts) away from narrow definitions of ‘excellence’ toward broader evaluations of research value and impact. It also explores how national systems may develop over the next 5–10 years, particularly in light of growing discussions around ‘responsible research assessment’ reforms.

Alex Rushforth, project lead, said:

This research originated from a simple observation shared by a RoRI partner from a national research council: “I know almost everything there is to know about my own national assessment system, but not enough about how others function or how they are developing”. This resonated with other partners. From there the obvious question became “Could AGORRA provide a tool to help us understand and compare diverse systems and facilitate mutual learning about recent developments?” In response, we have assembled a team of over twenty meta-researchers and funders with expertise on one or more national assessment systems, to co-develop a state-of-the-art typology and longitudinal study to address this need.

Steven Hill, Director of Research at Research England, said:

In the UK, we have a long history of national assessment. The Atlas and typology enable us to benchmark our evolving system against global standards. AGORRA’s work enhances our ability to learn from other systems and share our own experiences, aiding UK Funding Bodies in shaping future assessments.

The 2025 Global Research Council Survey

The Global Research Council (GRC) has played a key role in shaping and sustaining momentum around responsible research assessment (RRA). Its longstanding partnership with RoRI has enabled deep engagement with the leadership of public funders around the world. Building on the influential 2020 report and subsequent action plans, the GRC’s 2025 global survey, developed in collaboration with RoRI, draws insights from 50 funding agencies to map the current landscape of RRA. With nearly half of responses coming from funders in the Global South, the survey offers a rare and rich comparative view of how RRA is understood and implemented globally.

The findings reveal a growing appetite for experimentation, such as through narrative CVs and more holistic indicators of quality, alongside a shared commitment to building fairer, more transparent and context-specific assessment systems. As funders seek to translate principles into practice, the importance of ongoing learning, collaboration and evidence-informed reform becomes ever more critical. In this context, the GRC also launched its RRA Case Study digital library to raise awareness of global RRA practices. Accordingly, RRA and the wider metascience movement are closely aligned, offering powerful tools to understand, evaluate and ultimately strengthen the research ecosystem itself.

Shawn McGuirk and Mohammed Ahmad Alshamsi, co-chairs of the GRC RRA working group, reflect:

This report highlights the critical role of funders as change-makers in the research system, emphasizing the need for engagement, leadership, and a pro-innovation culture to drive meaningful RRA implementation.

Mapping the future of research assessment

With the launch of The RoRI Atlas of Assessment, our new typology of national systems, and the 2025 Global Research Council Survey, we are equipping the global community with the data, tools and insights needed to navigate a rapidly changing landscape. Together, these resources offer a foundation for more informed policymaking, more reflective institutional practices, and more collaborative reform efforts across borders.

Explore the RoRI Atlas of Assessment to browse global research assessment systems and compare national approaches. Help us expand the Atlas by submitting information about your country’s research assessment system – your contribution will help build a more complete and inclusive picture.

Read the new RoRI Working Paper and the 2025 GRC Survey Report to dive deeper into how assessment and funding systems are shifting – and where they might go next.