Research Quality Assessment (VQR) in Italy
The Research Quality Assessment (VQR) is a national procedure managed by the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR). Through the Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes (ANVUR), this procedure assesses the scientific research outcomes produced by Italian Universities and research organisations.
The outcomes of the 4th VQR exercise, which covers the five-year period 2020-2024, were published on 16 April 2026 and are available on ANVUR website:
Following the example of many other European countries, Italy has implemented a system for evaluating research outcomes. The primary aim is to measure the effectiveness and impact of research activities, often funded by public resources. This is useful:
- to compare data and results with other research organisations, increasing awareness of strengths and weaknesses
- to inform future policies and allocate public resources more efficiently, ultimately benefiting society.
The Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) has tasked ANVUR with organising and conducting the VQR exercise nationwide.
For the evaluation, ANVUR employs a peer review methodology, supplemented by bibliometric analysis depending on the scientific area. The Expert Evaluators Group (GEV) is responsible for assessing research outputs focusing on originality, methodological rigour and impact.
The results of the assessment exercises serve several purposes:
- by MUR, for the allocation of the Ordinary Finance Fund (FFO) and other resources related to research and knowledge exploitation
- by the University, to distribute internal funds and to define its strategic goals
- by Departments, during self-evaluation sessions concerning research and knowledge exploitation activities.