Advancing Research Assessment in Serbia: A Pilot Project for the Institute of Economic Sciences – ARISE

Project duration: September 2025 – August 2026

Call/Program/Scheme: HORIZON Europe

Client / Financier: European Commission, Horizon Europe CoARA Boost Cascade Funding Programme

Participating institutions:

Principal investigator (PI): Isidora Beraha, PhD, Institute of Economic Sciences

The role of IEN in the project: IEN is a lead institution

IEN project team (manager/coordinator, team members):

Isidora Beraha (PI)
Jovan Zubović
Sonja Đuričin
Jelena Banković
Lazar Živković

Description:

The ARISE project aims to develop and pilot a qualitative, peer-review-based research assessment model at the Institute of Economic Sciences (IES) in Serbia, aligned with the CoARA commitments. It addresses key shortcomings in the national framework, which relies heavily on quantitative metrics - a system widely criticized across disciplines, especially by social sciences institutes.

By co-creating an inclusive model with researchers and leadership, ARISE shifts the focus from individual publication counts to the performance of research departments, emphasizing quality, societal relevance, and impact. The model will be piloted through self-assessment reports and external peer reviews, engaging researchers across career stages. An interdisciplinary Advisory Board with representatives from all scientific fields will guide broader relevance and future adaptation.

The project will initiate model adoption across Serbia's 11 social science institutes (employing around 350 researchers) and serve as a strategic entry point for wider national reform. Scalable tools, guidance, and policy recommendations will be produced to support future reforms.

As the only CoARA signatory in Serbia, IES will build on its leadership and previous initiatives, in particular two national forums on research assessment organized in 2024, which positioned the Institute as a key driver of national reform efforts.

Keywords: research assessment reform, qualitative approach, peer review, social sciences, CoARA