Research funding agencies play a central role in shaping research cultures, career trajectories, and the norms of research assessment. Their evaluation practices influence what is valued, who succeeds, and how scientific progress is defined. In recent years, international discussions on reforming research assessment have intensified, particularly through the work of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), the Global Research Council (GRC), and broader community movements towards Open Science and responsible assessment. Across geographical, organisational and disciplinary divides, these initiatives call for greater transparency, fairness, inclusion, and a shift towards qualitative assessments supported – but not dominated – by quantitative indicators. In preparation of the EU High-Level Presidency Conference on Reforming Research Assessment (CeRRA), held in Copenhagen on December 3-4, 2025, the present report presents findings from ten case studies of international research funding agencies. The included funders represent a diverse ecosystem: public agencies, private foundations, independent research charities, and mission-driven institutions.

The report is authored by David Budtz Pedersen, Ulrik Gensby, Jonas Hedegaard, Olivia Karlsson Hansen, Josephine Bøgen Theilgaard, Kathrine Bjerg Bennike.

Download and read full report here.