About

The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) is a Coalition of research funding organisations, research performing organisations, national/regional assessment authorities and agencies, as well as associations of the above organisations, learned societies and other relevant organisations. They have signed the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, meaning that they commit to implement changes to research assessment, and mutually support and learn from each other as they progress in their reform journey.

CoARA's vision is that the assessment of research, researchers, and research organisations acknowledges the diverse outputs, practices, and activities that enhance the quality and impact of research. To achieve this, assessments must primarily rely on qualitative judgments, with peer review playing a central role, and be supported by the responsible use of quantitative indicators. This approach ensures a comprehensive and fair evaluation, recognising the full spectrum of contributions to scientific progress and societal benefit.

Collaboration with CoARA is crucial for GraspOS as it aligns with CoARA's vision of recognising diverse research outputs and practices while promoting sustainability and community governance in open infrastructure. By partnering with CoARA and the "Towards Open Infrastructure for Research Assessment (OI4RRA)" working group, GraspOS can enhance its research assessment approach, ensuring it is based on qualitative judgments and supported by responsible quantitative indicators. This collaboration supports the development of a sustainable, community-governed open infrastructure, which is foundational for GraspOS’s federated services. Together, we can promote open science practices, aid researchers, funders, and institutions in making informed decisions, and improve the overall quality and impact of research.

Mutual Benefits

Collaborating with CoARA benefits GraspOS by enhancing research assessment accuracy and fairness through CoARA's emphasis on qualitative judgments and responsible quantitative indicators. It helps develop a sustainable, community-governed open infrastructure which is essential for GraspOS’s federated services. The collaboration promotes Open Science practices, supports stakeholders in making informed decisions, and facilitates global collaboration and networking, driving innovation and impact. Additionally, GraspOS aligns with organisations willing to change research assessment practices, leveraging complementary activities to reach milestones beyond CoARA members. 

GraspOS contributes to the collaboration with CoARA by providing tools, services, and data to support Open Science indicators, developing a federated infrastructure aligned with CoARA policies, and offering case studies to demonstrate best practices. GraspOS also supports institutions in translating policies into actionable steps, fosters global collaboration and networking, and contributes expertise on principles, governance, and sustainability of infrastructures. GraspOS members actively participate in CoARA working groups, fostering well-orchestrated deliverables and mutual benefits.

This collaboration is expected to yield the following outcomes:

• Alignment with CoARA: Align GraspOS data, tools, and services with the policies and vision developed by CoARA and its OI4RRA working group.
• Showcase Pilot Approaches: Demonstrate the use of GraspOS tools and services to facilitate CoARA members in adopting new research assessment methods.
• Enhance Sustainability: Improve the sustainability of the GraspOS federated infrastructure.
• Embrace Community Values: Adopt CoARA community values and principles, particularly concerning Open Infrastructure for Research Assessment.

Website

https://coara.eu/