Methodology For Evaluating Research Organisations (valid for years 2025+)
The methodology for evaluating research organizations was approved by Resolution No. 458 of the Government of the Czech Republic on June 18, 2025.
In line with good international practice, the methodology for evaluating research organizations (hereinafter referred to as the “Methodology”) has several basic roles. It is an essential tool for obtaining information about the research, development, and innovation (hereinafter referred to as “R&D&I”) system, which is then used for strategic decision-making and setting funding. In this respect, the Methodology contributes to increasing the effectiveness of R&D&I system management and funding. Other key roles are formative and communicative. Evaluation through feedback motivates and reinforces good practice at all levels involved in the evaluation – the national level, the provider level, and the research organization (hereinafter referred to as "RO") level.
The main objectives of the evaluation of research organizations through the Methodology are:
- to increase the efficiency and quality of research with an emphasis on achieving excellent results while adhering to ethical principles and good practice,
- to motivate the evaluation of research results, strengthen the role of applied research results, and improve the principles of applied research evaluation;
- to emphasize the R&D&I ecosystem and individual ROs, their diversity and inclusiveness, equal opportunities, and support for people in science;
- to support the internationalization, international competitiveness, and interdisciplinarity of Czech R&D&I;
- strengthening the responsibility of individual actors in the R&D&I system, including the role of providers in relation to the research activities of the R&D organizations they evaluate and finance, with an emphasis on the long-term conceptual development of R&D organizations and the fulfillment of departmental and societal needs,
- raising the standards of research organization management,
- obtaining robust cross-sectional information and data for the provision of institutional support for the long-term conceptual development of research organizations.
The methodology respects not only the different roles of the individual evaluation levels, but also the different missions of research organizations within the RDI system. The methodology also respects the specific nature of scientific outputs in different fields and does not compare results between different fields. In accordance with best international practice, it uses basic tools for evaluation, which are described in detail below in the individual modules. The aim of the Methodology is to provide, in addition to the evaluation outputs, the most vivid picture possible of each research organization.
The Methodology fulfills the obligation of the Research, Development and Innovation Council imposed on it by the currently valid and effective Research and Development Act. [1]
[1] Currently Act No. 130/2002 Coll., on the support of research, experimental development and innovation from public funds and on amendments to certain related acts (Act on the Support of Research, Experimental Development and Innovation), as amended, specifically Section 35(2)(c) and (d) of the Act.
