We often explain and communicate the impact of work funded by, and through, ELIXIR using categories of impact.
Discover ELIXIR's impact categories
Literally any activity done under the umbrella of ELIXIR can be attached to one or more of these impact categories:
Research efficiency
We make infrastructure, bioinformatics resources and processes faster, easier to use, and more integrated.
Scientific legacy
We create and disseminate new knowledge on research infrastructure, bioinformatics resources and related guidelines.
Benefits derived from working together
We facilitate knowledge-sharing and cooperation
Public awareness
We raise awareness of socio-economic and societal benefits of bioinformatics and Open Science.
Policy influence
We shape policy in the area of Open Science.
Equal opportunity
We raise awareness of diversity and inclusiveness.
Skills development
We upskill resource users and service providers.
Research infrastructure sustainability
We work to increase ELIXIR’s visibility with, and appreciation by, its funders.
Bioinformatics resource uptake
We work to increase resource usage and appreciation by users.
Slides and icons are freely available for further use, and can be cited as Figure 1 in Martin et al. (2021). Martin et al. (2021) also provided (as Supporting Information) an initial list of indicators for monitoring the performance and impact of ELIXIR: an updated version is available.
If you are part of ELIXIR, you can access numerous resources related to performance and impact evaluation through the Documents area of the Impact Focus Group.
Search the examples of impact
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility, GBIF, has joined ELIXIR's FAIRsharing Community Champions Programme, as a result of their collaboration on the EU-funded BiCIKL project
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Research efficiency
SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics is ELIXIR's Swiss Node. Their impact page presents concrete examples of how the life science infrastructure and data science expertise at the institute contribute to a better world and a stronger Switzerland
Impact areas:Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Public awareness
ELIXIR Italy tracks its scientific impact using text-mining and presents related metrics on this dynamic dashboard
Impact areas:Research dissemination
This Collection provides access to a range of impact-related materials and events that will be useful to those wishing to demonstrate and communicate the performance, impact, and ultimately public value of their research infrastructure
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Equal opportunities ~ Policy influence ~ Public awareness ~ Research dissemination ~ Research efficiency ~ Research infrastructure sustainability ~ Skills development
A workshop on impact assessment which provided participants with impact evaluation skills, including strategic aspects, approaches and methodology, and concrete examples. The workshop also covered environmental issues of relevance to Nodes and how their carbon footprint can be assessed.
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Research infrastructure sustainability ~ Skills development
This Collection provides access to a range of impact-related materials and events that will be useful to those wishing to demonstrate and communicate the performance, impact, and ultimately public value of their research infrastructure
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Equal opportunities ~ Policy influence ~ Public awareness ~ Research dissemination ~ Research efficiency ~ Research infrastructure sustainability ~ Skills development
ELIXIR Italy tracks its scientific impact using text-mining and presents related metrics on this dynamic dashboard
Impact areas:Research dissemination
SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics is ELIXIR's Swiss Node. Their impact page presents concrete examples of how the life science infrastructure and data science expertise at the institute contribute to a better world and a stronger Switzerland
Impact areas:Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Public awareness
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility, GBIF, has joined ELIXIR's FAIRsharing Community Champions Programme, as a result of their collaboration on the EU-funded BiCIKL project
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Research efficiency ~ Research infrastructure sustainability
ELIXIR's recognition in the ESFRI monitoring exercise affirms its prestigious standing in the European Research Area, with the 50-page submission highlighting scientific excellence, global impact, robust leadership, and adaptability to emerging trends, including the success of Core Data Resources and an 'excellent' training program. The expert panel's recommendations stress the importance of service quality monitoring and collaborations with industry users and European research infrastructures.
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Equal opportunities ~ Policy influence ~ Public awareness ~ Research dissemination ~ Research efficiency ~ Research infrastructure sustainability
A half-day training course on impact assessment which provided participants with impact evaluation skills, including strategic aspects, approaches and methodology, and concrete examples.
Impact areas:Skills development
ELIXIR has released a comprehensive Impact Toolkit, offering valuable insights into impact evaluation. This resource compiles diverse materials such as training modules, examples, factsheets, indicator lists, key publications, case studies, and presentations. Additionally, an Annotated Bibliography has been published, providing further materials on the subject of impact assessment.
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Equal opportunities ~ Policy influence ~ Public awareness ~ Research dissemination ~ Research efficiency ~ Research infrastructure sustainability ~ Skills development
A noteworthy overview emphasizes the significance of research infrastructures in policy, highlighting ELIXIR's pivotal role. Notable in 2022, ELIXIR's publications were cited extensively in policy documents, showcasing its tangible impact on national, European, and global policies. The explanation delves into ELIXIR's effective approaches and tools, actively tracking policy actions and impact for outstanding showcases in policy shaping.
Impact areas:Policy influence ~ Research infrastructure sustainability
Examining a decade of ELIXIR's Industry program (2013-2023), this overview explores its profound impact on research and innovation. Highlighting industry events, collaborative projects, and engagements with ELIXIR Communities, it includes monitoring resource impact through patents and ongoing PathOS project as a case study for understanding impact pathways and socioeconomic benefits.
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Equal opportunities ~ Public awareness ~ Research dissemination ~ Research efficiency ~ Research infrastructure sustainability
A short overview of ELIXIR-supported papers published in 2022 shows the influence of the life science infrastructure’s activities in both fundamental and applied research, in areas ranging from human and animal health to food security and climate change.
Impact areas:Research dissemination ~ Research efficiency
This ELIXIR-funded staff exchange showcased bioinformaticians seizing opportunities for networking and extended training. The six-month initiative established a network among Czech university researchers specializing in single-cell experiments for understanding cancer, with knowledge dissemination through the ELIXIR Single-Cell Omics Community.
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Equal opportunities ~ Skills development
This policy brief takes an ‘out-of the box’ approach to explaining what research infrastructures are and do by drawing parallels between the two classes of infrastructure.
Impact areas:Policy influence ~ Research infrastructure sustainability
A good example of a successful use of ELIXIR core funding to brings opportunities for our ELIXIR bioinformaticians to connect, share knowledge and get experience and training beyond their home institutes
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Equal opportunities ~ Skills development
PathOS aims to identify how impact pathways of open science develop, as well as recommendations for policy interventions to enable further impacts. ELIXIR takes part through a case study focused on industry use of its resources
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Policy influence ~ Public awareness ~ Research infrastructure sustainability ~ Skills development
The ELIXIR Training online data base is a valuable resource that allows to access information on the quality of events, the attendees, along with overall ELIXIR’s scale of training activities accross its Nodes as well as longer-term impact of the courses.
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Skills development
No less than 12 ELIXIR Core Data Resources have been awarded this status: BRENDA, ChEBI, ChEMBL, Ensembl, Europe PMC, ENA, InterPro, Orphadata Science, Reactome, Rhea, STRING, UniProt
Impact areas:Policy influence ~ Research infrastructure sustainability
The first signings of the Collaboration Agreement between national Nodes and Central EGA aims to facilitate collaboration between the Nodes, at the same time the Federated EGA network enables to better address transnational human data sharing challenges.
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Research efficiency
A good summary of the work undertaken as part of ELIXIR's impact portfolio between 2018 and 2022
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Equal opportunities ~ Policy influence ~ Public awareness ~ Research dissemination ~ Research efficiency ~ Research infrastructure sustainability ~ Skills development
ELIXIR captures a range of information for ELIXIR-badged training courses, including audience demographics, training quality and impact. This publication describes the approach as well as first outcomes from its application across ELIXIR Nodes
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Research dissemination ~ Skills development
ELIXIR started its collaboration with EFIS (European Future Innovation System Centre) during the EU-funded RI-PATHs project as part of a case study. EFIS has continued to support ELIXIR's impact portfolio through the provision of specialist training and mentoring of partners in ELIXIR Nodes
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Research infrastructure sustainability ~ Skills development
The birth and impact of a key ELIXIR resource supporting data management, FAIR and Open Science more broadly. An inspiring story of two ELIXIR Nodes (Czech Republic and the Netherlands) who worked together over the years
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Research efficiency
This report estimates the impact and value of EMBL-EBI managed data resources. It provides a rich update to the 2015 seminal report by the same specialised consultancy, Charles Beagrie
Impact areas:Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Research efficiency
The annual ELIXIR All Hands Meeting helps raise awareness of latest developments in the pan-European infrastructure. Participation of selected external guests helps bring new perspectives and enrich discussions. It was fantastic to finally meet in person again!
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Research dissemination
The ELIXIR Bioinformatics Industry Forum facilitates discussions around visionary ideas, bottlenecks and solutions to some of the major challenges in the data driven life science sector.
Impact areas:Bioinformatics resource uptake ~ Research efficiency
Beacon provides a technical solution for researchers to query sensitive human data from across country boundaries, without compromising privacy. This new, enriched version allows its users to more rapidly identify the existence of specific sequences across multiple datasets and avoid unnecessary complicated access requests. This work is also a great example of ELIXIR's continued and fruitful collaboration with the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health
Impact areas:Benefits of working together ~ Research efficiency