The recent evaluation of the €10-million Europlanet project, which has received funding from the European Commission (EC), has been published in the esteemed journal Nature Astronomy. As one of the most ambitious initiatives in planetary science, the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) project operated from February 1, 2020, to July 31, 2024, providing unprecedented access to an extensive array of planetary simulation and analysis facilities. This initiative not only facilitated collaboration across the globe but also established a framework for ongoing scientific discourse and education in the planetary science community.
Led by a consortium of over 50 partners, Europlanet 2024 RI sought to create a well-coordinated collection of facilities and services that encompassed both physical and virtual resources. This initiative emphasized the significance of community engagement through various networking opportunities, training programs, and access to advanced tools. By embedding an Impact Evaluation Officer, Jen DeWitt, from the onset of the project, the team aimed to collect qualitative and quantitative evidence that could illustrate the project’s true impact over time.
The case study published in Nature Astronomy places a spotlight on the idea that integrating robust evaluation from the beginning of a research project is crucial for yielding significant scientific advancements. The findings reveal that the interactions fostered through participation in activities, particularly the Transnational Access visits to laboratories, resulted in enhanced scientific output, the cultivation of new research avenues, and the formation of enduring professional collaborations.
DeWitt’s observations underscore the complexities inherent in tracing the path from funding allocation to substantive scientific contributions. The evaluation articulated that it is critical to recognize the myriad factors that influence the quality and longevity of scientific research, particularly for early-career scientists and students who often benefit from unique opportunities that catalyze their development.
The evaluation framework utilized for Europlanet 2024 RI was founded on five distinct areas of impact as delineated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These areas—scientific, technological, educational, economic, and societal impacts—provided a comprehensive lens through which the project’s outcomes could be measured. The established key performance indicators were systematically reviewed and adapted throughout the project duration to capture the evolving dynamics of the research environment.
As Nigel Mason, Coordinator of Europlanet 2024 RI, noted, the €28 million investment by the EC over two decades came with high expectations for impact and accountability. This particular project’s approach entailed an unprecedented depth of understanding regarding its results and its broader implications for the scientific community. The integration of a dedicated evaluator facilitated a longitudinal perspective on user engagement, participant interactions, and the overall synergy of the various project components.
However, the evaluation process faced numerous challenges due to worldwide events between 2020 and 2024, including the global pandemic and conflicts in places like Ukraine and Ethiopia. These factors necessitated significant adaptations in project operations, underscoring the resilience required of both individual researchers and institutions. Despite these obstacles, the evaluation illustrated positive outcomes across all monitored metrics, particularly in scientific productivity and educational impact.
With over 250 resulting publications and presentations, the Europlanet project made substantial contributions to the scientific corpus within planetary science. Training programs, mentoring initiatives, and summer schools were highlighted as critical for supporting early-career researchers, particularly during the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Remarkably, over 90% of Transnational Access visits led to ongoing collaborations, while a significant proportion of participants pursued new research directions triggered by their engagement in the project.
The evaluation has not only provided accountability to the EC and the public but has also served pragmatic functions in guiding future strategic decisions. As Europlanet transitions into a self-sustaining non-profit entity, understanding which activities deliver the most substantial impacts becomes crucial for ongoing support of the planetary science community. The evaluative process thus emphasizes delivering value while addressing the community’s diverse needs.
Ultimately, the broader implications of this evaluation point to a paradigm shift in understanding scientific collaborations—highlighting network-building and community engagement as essential components of impactful research. This sentiment resonates with DeWitt’s assertion that scientists are not isolated entities but rather part of a collaborative ecosystem, where the strength and richness of relationships lead to richer scientific discourse.
Informing future generations about careers in science must encompass the concept of community—illustrating that foundational support, mentorship, and collaboration are critical for success. By nurturing an environment of cooperation across disciplines and borders, the scientific community can cultivate a culture that is not only robust but also sustainable in the face of future challenges.
The importance of the Eurplanet project and its evaluation provides a blueprint for how collective efforts can elevate the standards of scientific inquiry, foster innovative research, and cultivate a dynamic and engaged community of planetary scientists. As new opportunities arise, projects like Europlanet 2024 RI will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of planetary exploration and research.
Subject of Research: Impact evaluation of Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure
Article Title: Insights into evaluating a research project through an impact case study of a pan-European research infrastructure
News Publication Date: October 17, 2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02684-7
References: N/A
Image Credits: Credit: L Roelofs.
Keywords
Planetary Science, Europlanet, Research Infrastructure, Impact Evaluation, Collaboration, Networking, Scientific Publication, Training Programs, Community Engagement, European Commission.
