This book provides analysis of current trends in research evaluation worldwide and compares the research assessment and innovation ecosystems in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovenia. It argues that in each country the research assessment system is interdependent with the national innovation system and the overall institutional governance/enforcement. The lead author, Albena Vutsova, has over 20 years of experience in research assessment both in Bulgaria and at European institutions (incl. JRC) and has been a member of the European Network for Research Evaluation in the Social Sciences and the Humanities. The three authors work at Sofia University, Bulgaria.