“Research culture is influenced by the ways in which research and researchers are assessed. For example, funding criteria such as journal prestige can cause researchers to focus their efforts on publishing in a small subset of scientific journals. Though this increases competition, it can inadvertently lead assessors to overlook other types of research outputs, contributions, and achievements. Because of this, the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) is using research assessment as a key mechanism to improve research culture nationally. Sean Sapcariu, programme manager at FNR, shared their strategy at DORA’s Funder Discussion on December 16, 2020. For FNR, Sapcariu says, “The vision is to ensure that research maintains its attractiveness for current and all future generations.” 

A major part of FNR’s strategy is the introduction of a narrative CV format in all funding programs. According to Sapcariu, the goal is to shift how quality is evaluated by adopting a more holistic perspective of good research. The narrative CV format can help achieve this by framing funding proposals in the context of researchers’ wide variety of accomplishments.

FNR’s narrative CV format is based on the Résumé for Researchers, which was developed by the Royal Society in 2019, and consists of a personal statement, academic profile and relevant skillset, and key outputs, contributions, and achievements. Similar to the intent of the Résumé for Researchers, Sapcariu says, FNR is placing a premium on contributions to the generation of knowledge, development of individuals, and contributions to the wider research community and broader society….”