As geopolitical competition intensifies, research and innovation are becoming central to economic strength and global influence.
Today, the European Commission presented a new set of measures to strengthen how Europe engages internationally through research and innovation. The initiative aims to reinforce Europe’s global partnerships, while safeguarding 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 a European Union 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 to address 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 baseline 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 growing awareness of research security risks in international cooperation, while highlighting that further efforts are needed as policy maturity levels continue to vary across Member States.
Global Approach Implementation Report 2023-2025
The Global Approach Implementation Report 2023–2025 reviews progress in implementing the EU’s 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 pool 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 a European Union framework for science diplomacybuilds on the expert report A European Framework for Science Diplomacy – Recommendations of the EU Science Diplomacy Working Groups, which was published by the European Commission in February 2025, being the result of a year-long consultation process that involved 130 science and diplomacy experts.
Research security addresses risks related to the undesirable transfer of critical knowledge and technology, malign 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 that contains common definitions, shared principles and guidance on what an effective and proportionate policy response might look like.
The Global Approach to Research and Innovation foresees that the Commission presents every two years a report on its implementation. The second biennial report on the implementation of the Global Approach to Research and Innovation 2023-2025 follows the first report which was published in May 2023. It presents the Commission’s activities in the period between June 2023 and December 2025.
More information
International cooperation in research and innovation
Proposal for a Council recommendation on a European Union framework for science diplomacy
Factsheet: European Union framework for science diplomacy
Research Security Monitor 2025: Staff Working Document | Factsheet
Second biennial report on the implementation of the Global Approach to Research and Innovation 2023-2025
Press contact:
EC Spokesperson for Research, Science and Innovation
