Abstract
In the past two decades, centres of excellence (CoE) and other ‘research excellence initiatives’
likely to increase the cumulative advantages and stratification of science, have been implemented
in many countries. Based on empirical studies of CoE in four Nordic countries, this paper
examines how the resources provided by CoE schemes (generous long-term funding, prestige
and visibility) add to the success and growth dynamics of the CoE. The data indicate a
modified Matthew effect with ceilings and limits avoiding excessive accumulation of resources.
Important impacts of the CoE are found, in particular in terms of enabling more interdisciplinary
collaboration and risk-taking and enhancing international recruitment to the research areas
involved. But, in contrast to what might be expected, the CoE grant seem to add less to the
relative citation rate of those already performing at the highest level, than for those performing at
a somewhat lower level prior to the CoE grant.
likely to increase the cumulative advantages and stratification of science, have been implemented
in many countries. Based on empirical studies of CoE in four Nordic countries, this paper
examines how the resources provided by CoE schemes (generous long-term funding, prestige
and visibility) add to the success and growth dynamics of the CoE. The data indicate a
modified Matthew effect with ceilings and limits avoiding excessive accumulation of resources.
Important impacts of the CoE are found, in particular in terms of enabling more interdisciplinary
collaboration and risk-taking and enhancing international recruitment to the research areas
involved. But, in contrast to what might be expected, the CoE grant seem to add less to the
relative citation rate of those already performing at the highest level, than for those performing at
a somewhat lower level prior to the CoE grant.
