Strengthening CoARA and Enabling Systemic Reform of Research Assessment - A Booster

Project Information

CoARA Boost

Grant agreement ID: 101131826

DOI

10.3030/101131826

EC signature date 27 October 2023

Start date 1 October 2023

End date 30 September 2026

Funded under

• Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System

Total cost

€ 5 000 000,13

EU contribution

€ 5 000 000,00

Coordinated by

FONDATION EUROPEENNE DE LA SCIENCE
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CoARA Boost (Strengthening CoARA and Enabling Systemic Reform of Research Assessment - A Booster)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2025-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Research assessment is critical to research systems, yet current practices overly rely on metrics and publications, overlooking diverse outputs and open science. International efforts, including the EU’s ERA Policy Agenda (Action 3), seek reform. The 2022 Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, led by the EC, Science Europe, and EUA, promotes qualitative peer-reviewed evaluation and responsible metric use. It gave rise to CoARA, a coalition of 423+ organisations committed to ten reform principles over five years.

CoARA Boost supports CoARA’s development and capacity, enabling new research assessment models and a cascade funding programme. It enhances the coalition's reach, attracts members, and leverages funding.
The project’s goal is to foster systemic reform aligned with CoARA principles by:
i) strengthening operational capacity,
ii) advancing policy and institutional change,
iii) facilitating information exchange,
iv) expanding CoARA’s membership.

CoARA Boost, via an expanded secretariat, underpins CoARA’s global ambitions, fully aligning with Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action goals. It stands out as a unique contributor to the broader development of the Agreement and CoARA's structure.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

CoARA Boost delivers tangible support to CoARA. Key achievements in the first 18 months:

1) Membership growth
From 420 (Mar 2023) to 734 members and 837 signatories (May 2025).

2) Action plan support platform (WP3)
The Secretariat provided guidance and webinars for action plan submissions. CNRS developed two platforms to analyse and visualise action plan data. First webinar held in March 2025. Data and tools will be openly available.

3) Working Groups & National Chapters
Two calls (Mar 2023, Apr 2025) launched. 13 Working Groups now operate across various topics.
National Chapters—unexpected but vital—expanded rapidly:
• 5 in 2023
• 16 in 2024
• 18 in 2025

4) Cascade Funding programme
Supports 12-month institutional projects via three streams:
• Teaming (knowledge exchange)
• Pilots (testing reforms)
• Institutional change (long-term reform)
Two calls issued (Apr 2024, Feb 2025); 25 projects funded so far (€1.12M) with 25 more expected (€1.22M budget).

5) Outreach
500+ events attended/organised by CoARA Boost partners and Steering Board, fostering collaboration and awareness.

6) Support to leadership
The secretariat facilitates CoARA’s leadership via operational support, monthly Steering Board and biannual General Assembly meetings.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Building on efforts like DORA and the Leiden Manifesto, CoARA creates a structured global pathway for reform while respecting organisational autonomy. With over 700 organisations from 55 countries, CoARA convenes key stakeholders in the research ecosystem.

A. From Agreement to Action
Signatories commit to time-bound, shared principles. Within a year, they submit action plans and share progress continuously. By 2027, they must have completed one review cycle of their assessment practices.

B. Global reach
To catalyse change, CoARA prioritises expanding beyond Europe, recognising the global nature of research.

C. Support to implementation communities
CoARA Boost enhances coordination and exchange among:
i) Working Groups (topic experts),
ii) National Chapters (country-level actors),
iii) Cascade Funding recipients (pilot innovators),
iv) Steering Board (strategic leadership),
v) Coalition members (implementers).