National evaluation according to the methodology M17+

The METHODOLOGY 2017+ serves as an important basis for the quality management of science and research in the Czech Republic and as one of the important bases for the distribution of institutional support for the long-term conceptual development of organizations.

In contrast to the previous evaluation system, where each type of scientific result was assigned a certain number of points for the institution, the Methodology 2017+ seeks to take into account the quality of scientific results and, consequently, the entire institution.

The evaluation according to the 17+ Methodology is divided into five modules:

• In Module 1, the selected results that the institution considers to be of the highest quality, whether in terms of contribution to knowledge or social relevance, are evaluated by remote evaluators.
• In Module 2, the journals in which the institution publishes its results in terms of citation impact are assessed in the form of a bibliometric analysis.
• In Module 3, the social relevance of research is assessed at the level of faculties or university institutes.
• In Module 4, the quality of management and internal processes at the institutional level is assessed.
• In Module 5, the quality of the university's strategies and concepts is evaluated.

The evaluation process for modules 1 and 2 occurs annually, overseen by the Research, Development and Innovation Council. In contrast, the evaluation for modules 3 to 5 is conducted every five years by the provider of the financial support for science and research, which, in the case of BUT, is the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. An International Evaluation Panel, primarily composed of foreign experts, carries out this evaluation.

The comprehensive evaluation across all modules follows a five-year cycle, resulting in the classification of research organizations on a four-level scale. This classification is determined during a tripartite meeting involving the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the Research, Development and Innovation Council, and the Czech Rectors Conference. The classification is based on the results from the annual evaluations of modules 1 and 2, where a commission—comprising representatives from the provider, the Research, Development and Innovation Council, Development and Innovation, and (vice)chairs of the panels—proposes the final scaling. Additionally, the grade assigned to the institution by the International Evaluation Panel for modules 3 to 5 is also considered.

Figure 1 General National Evaluation Chart

Source: Methodology for Evaluating Research Organisations and Research, Development and Innovation Purpose-tied Aid Programmes

The most recent classification of research organizations occurred following the evaluation in 2020, with the next evaluation scheduled for 2025.