Understanding the dynamics of networks of excellence

This paper conceptualises networks of excellence (NoEs), a new funding instrument in the EU's Sixth Framework Programme for research, to propose how to monitor and assess the achievement of their objectives. It analyses the dynamics of NoEs and potential changes taking place in an NoE during its lifetime (funding period of five to seven years). It discusses critically some of the assumptions underlying the creation of NoEs by devoting special attention to the concept of integration and its relationship to excellence. The paper further draws attention to different dimensions of integration and how these could be measured. The analysis was developed for a particular NoE called PRIME, and has some limitations because of this focus. © Beech Tree Publishing 2006.