As part of the evaluation of these research centers, the standard methods developed by ECOOM are applied. The studies also include international benchmarking with a number of reference institutions, which have been determined in consultation with the involved research centers and the government.

The "Strategic Research Centers" (SOCs) are in focus. These are top research centers in Flanders with excellence of research in the scientific domains of micro and nanoelectronics, biotechnology and broadband technology, which play an important role in strategic basic research and innovation in Flanders.

In addition to the SOCs, ECOOM also conducts bibliometric and technometric studies for further research centers, including the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Royal Society for Zoology Antwerp (KMDA), The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITG) and Antwerp Management School ( AMS).