Project

ARION (HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-01-101287335), coordinated by OpenAIRE, advances responsible research assessment across Europe by turning established principles into practical, scalable solutions. Through narrative CVs, open infrastructure-enabled researcher profiles, institutional policies, and HR toolkits, the project supports fairer, more transparent and holistic assessment practices that recognise the full diversity of research contributions., coordinated by OpenAIRE, advances responsible research assessment across Europe by turning established principles into practical, scalable solutions. Through narrative CVs, open infrastructure-enabled researcher profiles, institutional policies, and HR toolkits, the project supports fairer, more transparent and holistic assessment practices that recognise the full diversity of research contributions.

European research assessment remains heavily reliant on outdated metrics that undervalue diverse research contributions such as data stewardship, mentoring, and societal engagement. While CoARA and DORA have established principles for responsible research assessment (RRA), institutions struggle to translate these frameworks into everyday practice, resulting in fragmented reform efforts across Europe. ARION addresses this implementation gap through digital infrastructure integration supporting four intervention tools adapted through 8 pilot institutions: Enhanced Digital Researcher Profiles to make invisible contributions visible through Open Infrastructure integration, Narrative CVs enabling researchers to articulate diverse impacts beyond traditional metrics, Institutional Model Policies providing change management frameworks for embedding reforms into governance, and HR Toolkits aligned with ResearchComp frameworks for systematic adoption. Tools are tailored through systematic diagnosis assessing institutional readiness across governance, cultural, and infrastructure dimensions, producing evidence-based typologies and personalised pathways. Comprehensive training builds capacity across stakeholder groups, while pilot representatives become certified mentors guiding new adopters through organisational change processes. Two Early Adopter Programme rounds recruit Scaling Cohorts at different maturity levels, supported by structured mentoring and peer networks. Scaling to adopt the four interventions accelerates through European networks including CoARA National Chapters, DORA signatories, OpenAIRE NOADs, and University Alliances, creating sustainable champion networks continuing reform beyond project completion. ARION delivers 9 Key Exploitable Results including readiness diagnostics, integration guides, deployment playbooks, assessment protocols, sustainability pathways transforming RRA reform from principle to practice across Europe's diverse research landscape.