[High quality of research supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation ('Nederlandse Hartstichting')]

To assess the quality of scientific research funded by the Netherlands Heart Foundation (NHF), using bibliometrical analysis of published research results, in order to determine whether the resources of the NHF for research were being invested wisely.

Retrospective, descriptive.

The publication data concerning research projects supported by the NHF are digitally archived in a research information system. These data were used for a bibliometric analysis by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), using the international publication and citation database 'Web of Science', which contains around 10,000 internationally oriented periodicals. The analysis involved calculating various indicators, such as publication and citation figures, which were used to measure scientific output and impact.

1,353 scientific publications were produced from NHF-supported research that commenced in the period 1999-2007 (reference date 1 Jan 2008). In this period the NHF invested between 10 and 15 million Euros each year in scientific cardiovascular research. The quality of this research is reflected in the citation score of 1.65. This means that these publications were cited 65% more often than the global average. These publications also appeared in renowned periodicals, as is evident from the average journal citation score of 1.50. There were differences in the quality of NHF supported research at the individual universities, but all universities published NHF financed research results with a high impact within the field. The citation score achieved by the Radboud University Nijmegen was outstanding high.

The NHF has invested in high quality scientific research.