NordForsk uses the online database Researchfish to gather information about the outcomes of the research we fund. Read on to find out more about how Researchfish works and how to submit your data.
What is Researchfish?
Researchfish is an online database used to gather outputs and outcomes from research grants awarded by many research funding agencies around the world.
For NordForsk it allows us to collect information in a uniform way across our research portfolio, and to document impact and Nordic added value. For researchers, it allows them to store information on outcomes and outputs in one central place.
Why do we use Researchfish?
Researchfish allows us to collect consistent data on the impact of the research we fund. We use this data to share what has been achieved through our research funding schemes with the Nordic community, it helps us to evaluate the outcomes of our funding and it helps us to document the Nordic added value of the research we fund.
For examples, please visit our web page on research impact.
Who should submit Researchfish returns?
All grant holders with active or recently ended grants should submit.
Who has access to Researchfish?
NordForsk gives access to all project leaders. When logged on, the project leaders can add delegates or collaborators of the team to add data on their behalf, but the annual submission must be approved by the project leader.
What do I submit?
We ask you to provide a range of information on your research, including:
• publications
• engagement activities, collaborations and partnerships
• influence on policy, practice, patients and the public
• research tools & methods
• intellectual property
• datasets
• further funding
• Nordic added value.
The reporting is divided into a total of 17 different sections. Each section is supplied with a help text, explaining what to report.
We assume that no projects are able to submit across all sections, but we expect all projects to report on some of them. This depends on the type of project being carried out. For some projects it is necessary to report on use or development of datasets, for others not.
What do I submit in the NordForsk submission period?
NordForsk's submission period for 2024 was from 15 February to 31 March.
In this period we primarily want you to report outputs, outcomes and impact from the past year, however you are welcome to include those from previous years.
For final reports, we ask you to submit outputs and outcomes from the full project period. To discuss uncertainties over what applies to your project, please contact your NordForsk adviser.
How do I submit my data on Researchfish?
Step 1: Accept the invitation to submit
To add data on your NordForsk grant within Researchfish, you will need to accept an invitation to submit data. This is an email with an invitation link from admin@researchfish.com.
If you haven’t used Researchfish before, you will need to create an account, and you will be guided through the steps to do this.
If you have used Researchfish before, but haven’t reported on the specific grant we’ve asked for data on before, you will need to follow the instructions in your invitation email to accept the invitation into your existing account to submit data on this grant.
Step 2: Submit your data
Once you've accepted the invitation, you will be asked to submit outcomes and outputs that are relevant to NordForsk-funded research to us, during our submission window.
It is possible to delegate or nominate different members of the team to add data on your behalf.
When you've finished, don't forget to press the 'submit' button! We can’t see your research portfolio on Researchfish, so the only way for us to access your output and outcome information is via submitting the data to us.
How long does it take?
Not long. The average time in Researchfish is 49 minutes per grant, and Researchfish integrates with a number of external data sources to assist with reporting your outcomes.
When do I need to submit the data?
We will be asking you to submit your data in our annual reporting period, which in 2024 was between 15 February and 31 March 2023. However, you can report data at any time outside of the submission period as well to prevent the work from piling up.
Do I still need to submit annual progress reports to NordForsk?
Yes, completion of a Researchfish data entry is additional to the annual progress reports that provide us with progress on achieving the aims of your research grant as set out in your original funding proposal.
Do you need help or more information on how to submit?
There is a Help section on the Researchfish website which contains information on how to invite team members, reset your password, browse the user guide, watch help videos or join an introductory webinar.
You can also reach out to them at support@researchfish.com.
If you can’t find answers to your technical questions, you can email or livechat with colleagues at Researchfish.
For other queries, please contact your adviser at NordForsk.
How will we use your data?
The data will be analysed collectively to evaluate whether our research funding is making progress towards the aims in our strategies and programmes.
We are also using the data to tell collaborating research funders, the Nordic Council of Ministers and the general public in the Nordic countries about the Nordic added value and the impact of NordForsk funded research.
We may want to share specific impacts that you’ve told us about, see for example our news stories and Nordic research collaboration on societal security.