IRIS Group has conducted an evaluation of the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) with a particular focus on the Foundation’s core instrument, the Centres of Excellence (CoE).

The evaluation is based on a combination of bibliometric analyses, interviews with affiliated researchers and stakeholders, surveys among centre directors, senior researchers, and early-career researchers associated with the centres, as well as data provided by the DNRF.

Key findings from the evaluation include:
• The scientific results are strong and on par with the most prestigious European research programmes.
• The Foundation’s investments are highly leveraged through significant follow-up funding, including from private foundations.
• The centres play a unique role in Denmark’s research funding landscape by building capacity within new research fields with high potential.
• The centres serve as important talent incubators for the next generation of researchers.
• Many centres also generate societal impact — for example through spinouts, new technologies, improved regulation, and by enriching Denmark’s cultural landscape.
• There is an imbalance in the distribution of centres across disciplines.

Overall, the evaluation concludes that the DNRF fully lives up to its mandate of strengthening Denmark’s capacity for world-class research. The main recommendation is therefore that the Foundation be provided with the necessary resources to continue supporting new Centres of Excellence over the next 10–15 years — at least at the current level.

In addition, the evaluation suggests a number of smaller adjustments that could help further increase the impact of the Foundation’s investments.