The fourth Research Quality Evaluation (VQR), conducted by ANVUR (the Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes) and covering the 2020–2024 period, has been completed. The exercise assessed the outcomes of scientific research output, knowledge transfer activities, and internationally competitive projects. For the first time, on an experimental basis and limited to research institutions, research infrastructures were also evaluated. The VQR process began with the publication of the call in October 2023 and concluded in March 2026, with the submission of results to the Ministry of University and Research (MUR).

A total of 199,816 scientific publications (including articles, monographs, and book chapters) were evaluated, compared to approximately 182,000 submitted in the previous VQR for the 2015–2019 period. More than 75,800 researchers were accredited. The number of universities evaluated increased to 100 (with two additions compared to the previous exercise: CASD and the Scuola Superiore Meridionale), while the number of research institutions decreased to 13 (ASI was not included in this round), as did the number of institutions that voluntarily participated, which fell to 19 (three fewer). The outputs were distributed across 19 Evaluation Expert Panels (GEVs), comprising a total of 719 disciplinary experts and 37 interdisciplinary experts from Italian and international institutions. In addition, more than 6,740 external reviewers — both Italian and international — were involved in the evaluation process. These figures highlight the significant coordination effort undertaken by ANVUR, which involved, in addition to its staff and Board members, 27 GEV assistants selected through a dedicated procedure.

"As highlighted by the overall analysis of the results, several conclusions can be drawn for the Italian research system as a whole,” noted Prof. Alessandra Celletti. “Indicator analysis confirms that, as in the previous VQR, newly recruited or promoted researchers submitted a higher average number of outputs per capita (2.7) compared to established researchers (2.1), with a higher average quality."

"The aggregated results at the institutional level have now been published, pending the release of results by disciplinary area, which will take place during the event dedicated to the Final Report and the Area Reports, scheduled for 28 May,” concluded Dr. Marco Malgarini. “This event will also provide an opportunity for further discussion and reflection."

For a comparison with the results of the 2015–2019 VQR: