Global Research Benchmarking System

The Global Research Benchmarking System (GRBS) will provide objective data and analyses to help universities benchmark their research activities in traditional subject areas and in Sustainable Development for the purpose of strengthening the quality and increasing the impact of research. While the only currently available high-quality sources of research benchmarking data are national, the international nature of research demands data that can be applied across national boundaries. The GRBS will support each university to determine its own research profile and identify niche areas in which university can be in top tier; to make more rational strategic and resource allocation decisions; to identify partners with complementary strengths; to publicize program strengths in order to attract top faculty, students, and funding; and to support investment in research in Sustainable Development. It will assist government research funding agencies to set realistic priorities and structure research funding programs, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of those programs. It will help students to select high quality postgraduate programs to apply to. Unlike existing university ranking systems, the GRBS will provide data at a fine enough level that it can be used for decision making purposes. It will support diversity of mission by covering a broad range of disciplines at a fine level of granularity (250 subject categories) and by including coverage of areas of sustainable development such as renewable energy, biodiversity, and water.  The first results are scheduled for release in November 2011.