The results of the fourth Research Quality Assessment, VQR 2020–2024, conducted by ANVUR – the National Agency for the Evaluation of the University and Research System – confirm Luiss as one of the leading institutions in the national academic landscape. 

The VQR is the primary mechanism for monitoring scientific output in Italy, aiming to reward excellence and guide the allocation of public funds. The 2020–2024 edition analyzed approximately 200,000 scientific outputs, 6,500 competitive projects, and over 850 knowledge enhancement case studies. It involved 75,000 researchers and assessed not only methodological rigor but also social impact and the ability to attract resources. Out of a total of 132 institutions—including state and non-state universities, public research organizations, and those participating on a voluntary basis—Luiss consistently ranks among the above-average universities in terms of the quality of its academic output and its scientific impact. 

One of its strengths lies in the Quality of Research of its evaluated staff (indicator R1_2), where Luiss ranks above the national average and in 2nd place among both state and non-state universities. This figure becomes even more significant when compared to non-state universities, where the University stands out for its scientific strength, maintaining a leadership position and competing with the main state universities. 

The indicator for the Quality of Research by PhD holders, indicator R3, is also excellent, highlighting Luiss’s ability to attract and train a new generation of academics who are already highly competitive. This factor significantly contributes to the university’s position among the top non-state institutions in the national ranking. 

Another key finding pertains to the Third Mission (indicator R4), a core aspect of Luiss's mission that measures the ability to transform knowledge into value for society and the local area. In this context, the University not only exceeds the national average but ranks second among all state and non-state universities, showing a significant improvement compared to the previous VQR 2015–2019, where it was ranked 15th in Italy and 2nd among non-state universities.

Finally, the ANVUR report provides an opportunity for development in terms of funding for competitive international projects (indicator R5). While the university remains an attractive hub for quality and prestige, enhancing its ability to access major European programs—such as Horizon Europe—is a strategic direction for the future. 

Overall, these results are part of a broader trend of growth within the Italian university system, which – as highlighted by ANVUR – is seeing improvements in the quality of recruitment and the productivity of new researchers. For more details, the full data is available on the Agency’s official portal.