EU strengthens science diplomacy and research security to support global research cooperation

As geopolitical competition intensifies, research and innovation are becoming fundamental to economic strength and global influence. 

The European Commission today presented a new set of measures to strengthen Europe’s international engagement through research and innovation. The initiative seeksto strengthen Europe’s global partnerships while protecting its strategic interests, keeping international cooperation open and secure, and enhancing Europe’s attractiveness for talent and innovation worldwide.

Proposal for a Council Recommendation on an EU framework for science diplomacy

The Commission has adopted a proposal for a Council Recommendation establishing the first EU framework for science diplomacy.

The initiative aims to enable the EU and its Member States to act more strategically and speak with one voice when engaging internationally through research and innovation. It seeks to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, promote democratic values and support cooperation in addressing global challenges, while improving coordination and the efficient use of expertise and resources across the Union.

Research Security Monitor 2025

The Research Security Monitor provides a qualitative basis for research security policies and measures across the EU. 

It supports Member States, research organisations and funders in strengthening safeguards through peer learning and the exchange of good practices. The report shows a growing awareness of the risks to research security in international cooperation, while highlighting the need for further efforts, as the maturity of policies continues to vary across Member States.

Implementation report on the Global Approach 2023-2025

The Report on the implementation of the Global Approach 2023-2025 analyses the progress made in implementing the EU strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation.

It confirms the continued relevance of the strategy and highlights EU action to promote fair and reciprocal cooperation, strengthen global partnerships and bring together international efforts on shared priorities such as the green and digital transitions and global health.

Background

Science diplomacy refers to the direct or indirect use of science, scientific evidence and scientific cooperation to support diplomatic objectives at different levels, as well as the deployment of diplomacy to support scientific progress. 

The proposal for a Council Recommendation on an EU framework for science diplomacy is based on the expert report A European Framework for Science Diplomacy: Recommendations from the EU Science Diplomacy Task Forces, published by the European Commission in February 2025, which was the result of a year-long consultation process involving 130 experts in science and diplomacy. 

Research security addresses risks related to the undesirable transfer of critical knowledge and technology, negative influence on research, and violations of ethics and integrity. In 2024, the EU took important steps to address this issue by adopting the Council Recommendation on enhancing research security, in the context of the European Economic Security Strategy. The Council Recommendation is a reference point containing common definitions, shared principles and guidance on what an effective and proportionate policy response could look like. 

The Comprehensive Approach to Research and Innovation. It provides for the Commission to present a report on its implementation every two years. The second biennial report on the implementation of the Global Approach to Research and Innovation 2023-2025 follows thefirst report published in May 2023. It presents the Commission’s activities for the period from June 2023 to December 2025.

Further information: European Commission.