ALLEA Affirms Solidarity with the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts in Light of the Planned Discontinuation of Structural Funding

The Flemish government has announced its intention to discontinue the structural funding of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (KVAB) as of 2026. In response to this development, KVAB, a long-standing member academy of ALLEA, has released an open letter addressed to the Flemish government outlining the anticipated implications of this decision and requesting its reconsideration.

The open letter sets out the importance of sustained institutional support for independent academies in enabling them to carry out their public missions, including the advancement of scientific excellence, the facilitation of exchange between science and the arts, and the contribution to informed public discourse.

Given these considerations, ALLEA expresses its full solidarity with the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts. ALLEA President Paweł Rowiński has signed the open letter, thereby joining the appeal urging the Flemish government to reconsider its funding decision and to preserve the conditions that allow KVAB to continue fulfilling its mission.

ALLEA encourages members of the academic, scientific, artistic and wider societal communities to consult the open letter and consider supporting this initiative.

Read and sign the open letter.

ALLEA Co-Organises Flagship Conference on Research Security

From 28-30 October, ALLEA co-organised the European Flagship Conference on Research Security in Brussels, together with the European Commission and 11 other partners.

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ALLEA Joined the Newly Launched International Coalition to Support Ukraine’s Research and Innovation Ecosystem 

An International Coalition for Science, Research, and Innovation in Ukraine was officially launched in Rome on 11 July during the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference. The joint initiative by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, UNESCO and the European Commission, marks a significant step in placing science, research and innovation at the heart of Ukraine’s sustainable, inclusive and long-term recovery. 

The launch was announced by the Italian Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini; the Ukrainian First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Yevhen Kudriavets; the European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva; and UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General, Lidia Arthur Brito. 

ALLEA is pleased to announce that it has joined the Coalition, which aims to respond to both the urgent needs and long-term priorities of Ukraine’s research and innovation system. The initiative will promote concrete actions to support Ukrainian scientists, drive reconstruction and modernisation, and reinforce the role of research and innovation in the country’s recovery.  

As the European umbrella organisation representing 60 academies from over 40 countries, ALLEA has consistently advocated for the protection and advancement of scientific cooperation, academic freedom, and the integration of displaced and at-risk researchers. Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, ALLEA and its Member Academies have been actively involved in initiatives to support Ukrainian researchers, such as through the partnership with The Breakthrough Prize Foundation, strengthen institutional resilience, and foster international scientific collaboration. 

ALLEA shares the Coalition’s commitment to sustaining and rebuilding Ukraine’s research and innovation system. Furthermore, ALLEA’s broad European network and expertise in science policy can contribute meaningfully to the Coalition’s objectives and advance opportunities for joint actions to: 

  • Support mobility and integration of Ukrainian researchers in European research networks, 
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange and institutional capacity-building, and 
  • Promote the long-term reintegration of Ukrainian science into the European and global research community. 

Membership in the Coalition is open to governments, international organisations, research entities, academic institutions, foundations, development banks and private sector actors actively supporting Ukraine’s research sector. Interested entities are invited to join by agreeing to adhere to the Rome Declaration and submitting a formal request to the Secretariat at EC-R-I-COALITION-UA-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu. 

 

ALLEA Responds to Continued Attacks on Academic Freedom in the United States

Today, ALLEA has released a new statement in response to the most recent restrictions imposed by the U.S. Administration on the academic sector, re-affirming the importance of upholding the fundamental principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

We remain deeply concerned by the continued censorship of research designs and publications in the United States, the increasing marginalisation of scientifically relevant topics from public discourse, and the growing cuts to funding in key areas of research targeted at academic institutions. The new executive orders that freeze billions in federal research funding—including in critical fields such as biomedical and environmental research—are likely to inflict severe harm not only within the U.S. but globally.

We recall the overwhelming response to our previous statement in February 2025, which addressed threats to academic freedom and international research collaboration. That mobilisation, supported by more than 160 research institutions across Europe and beyond, reflected a shared understanding that defending academic freedom is an urgent and universal responsibility. We underscore our continued commitment to standing up against serious threats to the autonomy of science, which are incompatible with the principles of an open and democratic society.

In light of these developments, we call upon all scientific institutions, political decision-makers, and the broader public to recognise and defend the essential role of independent science in the U.S. and worldwide. The statement reiterates the need for clear regulatory frameworks to shield academia from undue interference, to guarantee the rights of scholars and students, and to maintain the autonomy of research. We urge governments across the globe to refrain from coercive actions against academic institutions and instead to engage in constructive dialogue that supports and protects the independence of research and higher education.

Read the full statement here.

ALLEA Stands Up for Science in Solidarity with the U.S. Research Community

Today, as the U.S. research community marches to defend science, ALLEA stands in solidarity with researchers around the world in the effort to safeguard academic freedom and protect the integrity of international research collaboration. The current threats to academic freedom in the U.S. — including research funding freezes and censorship in climate science, gender studies, and public health — pose disastrous risks to global scientific collaboration.

These actions not only harm U.S. researchers but also undermine the global scientific community, which relies on the open exchange of knowledge and cross-border collaboration. As science is a global public good, and a collaborative resource, these restrictions threaten the very foundation of international research efforts.

The human right to participate in science extends beyond the right to engage in scientific practice and its benefits; it also encompasses the right to be involved in the organisation and institution of science itself. This right to participate must be equal, as it represents a special form of the right to democratic self-determination

This situation requires an immediate yet thoughtful response that highlights core scientific values and reinforces the fundamental conditions necessary for robust research. These include academic freedom and autonomy, open collaboration, and the free exchange of knowledge within the scientific community. Moreover, it is essential to uphold the free movement and mobility of researchers, respect for evidence, research integrity, and acknowledgment of uncertainty and complexity — all of which are foundational to the advancement of science.

ALLEA issued a statement in February 2025 expressing grave concern over the threats to academic freedom in the U.S., warning of the broader repercussions for science worldwide. Already endorsed by numerous research institutions, European academies, CNRS (France), Independent SAGE (UK), and Science Europe, the statement has received widespread attention, including coverage by Nature.

We now ask you to Stand Up for Science to protect the integrity of research and safeguard the future of global scientific collaboration. You can support this effort by:

For a full list of institutional endorsers, please see.

European Research Community Joins ALLEA in Standing Up for Academic Freedom and Against Recent U.S. Actions

Berlin, 27 February 2025 – The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA) released a statement expressing grave concern over the growing threats to academic freedom in the United States, warning of the significant global repercussions for science and international research collaboration. The statement has since received significant and widespread support from science organisations across Europe.

The statement came in response to the recent executive orders and legislative measures in the U.S. that have led to disruptions and insecurity in research funding, as well as censorship of scholarly pursuits concerning research in fields such as climate science, gender studies, and public health. Billions in federal research funding have been frozen, forcing many U.S. science agencies and research institutions to suspend or curtail operations.

These actions do not just affect researchers in the U.S., but around the world, because science is a global, collaborative enterprise. ALLEA warns that restrictions on particular research topics and methodologies by the new administration negatively impact transatlantic data sharing and open exchange of ideas, thereby threatening decades of collaborative research between the U.S. and Europe, and potentially setting back scientific progress in critical areas.

As Professor Karin Roelofs, ALLEA Board Member and principal author of the statement puts it, “The silence around threats to academic freedom and international research collaboration is deafening. With this statement, we call upon national governments and international organisations to stand with the research community in remaining vigilant of these challenges. It is now time to join forces to safeguard academic freedom.”

In answer to this call for solidarity, the statement has already been endorsed by almost 50 research institutions, representing the unwavering commitment of the research community to safeguarding academic freedom, which is a key pillar of democratic societies. In addition to European academies of sciences and humanities, prominent research performing and funding organisations such as CNRS (France), independent SAGE (UK), and Science Europe are among the signatories. For a full list of signatories, see here.

ALLEA further urges policymakers in Europe and beyond to reinforce international agreements that protect open scientific collaboration, ensuring that political agendas do not dictate the course of research. As ALLEA President Pawel Rowiński adds, “Academic freedom is the backbone of scientific progress and indeed foundational to a free society. The latest actions by the new U.S. administration threaten the integrity and autonomy of research and disrupt public trust in science not just within the country but worldwide. Europe must stand firm in safeguarding independent research and stay committed to fostering an open and collaborative science ecosystem, thus ensuring that we remain a place where scholars can safely work, free from political interference.”

For media inquiries, please contact us at:

Email: secretariat@allea.org

Tel: +49 (0)30-20 60 66 500

ALLEA Publishes Statement Responding to Recent U.S. Restrictions on Academic Freedom

On 19 February, ALLEA published a new Statement expressing grave concern over recent developments in the U.S. affecting the autonomy of scientific research, including funding freezes and blatant censorship around language, research topics, and methodologies. These actions not only threaten the integrity of scientific and scholarly work within the U.S. but also have far-reaching consequences for global research collaboration and scientific progress as a whole. This statement underscores the critical role of academic freedom in democratic societies and calls for collective efforts to safeguard research autonomy worldwide. 

ALLEA called on its members, partners, and like-minded organisations, and urged national governments and international institutions in the U.S., Europe and beyond to remain vigilant and strengthen ongoing efforts to safeguard academic freedom and institutional autonomy. 

We invite our stakeholders in the research community and beyond to show your solidarity with this effort to stand up against undue interference in the scientific endeavour, by:

  • Endorsing the statement as an academy or institution. 
  • Sharing it with your networks to raise awareness. 
  • Engaging with national and regional policymakers to reinforce the importance of academic freedom. 

Read the Statement in full here.

ALLEA Working Group on the ERA Meets at the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters

On 11 October 2024, the ALLEA Working Group (WG) on the European Research Area (ERA) convened at the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters in Copenhagen.

The meeting gathered representatives from across Europe to discuss key issues that will shape the future of European research and innovation. One of the primary topics was the next European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda. The Working Group reviewed recent developments and upcoming priorities for the ERA, highlighting the need for policies that foster collaboration and support throughout Europe’s research landscape. Members emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts to address talent retention, promote Open Science, and streamline processes to maintain Europe’s global leadership in research. 

The meeting also addressed inequalities in the European research landscape. WG ERA reaffirmed its commitment to reducing disparities between member states, particularly by supporting Widening countries, and ensuring that all regions contribute to, and benefit from, Europe’s scientific advancements. 

As discussions turned to the future of the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), WG members examined the evolving priorities for FP10. They stressed the importance of balancing support for fundamental research with mission-driven projects that address pressing societal challenges. 

Discussions also addressed current threats to academic freedom, which is fundamental to the integrity and success of research. In light of some concerning developments, members of WG ERA reiterated the importance of protecting researchers’ rights to pursue their inquiries without undue interference or censorship. Safeguarding academic freedom in the European Union and beyond is essential for fostering a vibrant research environment, where innovative ideas can flourish and where scientists can engage with critical societal issues without fear of retribution.  The topic of research security was also debated. Members discussed the rising geopolitical risks to international collaboration and emphasised the need for a balanced approach to simultaneously protecting intellectual property and ethical norms while maintaining openness in research partnerships. 

This meeting strengthened the role of the ALLEA Working Group on the ERA in shaping European research policy and advancing collaboration across the continent. WG ERA remains committed to promoting excellence, inclusivity, and security in European research as the ERA and FP10 evolve. 

Event report: European Research Collaboration in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape – How Open Can We Be?

ALLEA marked its 30th anniversary with its general assembly in Berlin on 22–23 May 2024. The event featured a public symposium which convened prominent researchers, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Europe to explore the complexities and opportunities of open research collaboration in today’s evolving geopolitical climate.

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ALLEA Welcomes Motion for European Parliament Resolution on Freedom of Scientific Research

European academies are longstanding advocates for academic freedom and institutional autonomy, in the interest of our knowledge societies. ALLEA therefore extends support for a recent motion for a resolution to protect the freedom of scientific research in the European Union more effectively, submitted by MEP Christian Ehler, rapporteur for the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).  

The motion contains a request for an act to create a legal framework aimed at protecting the freedom of scientific research in Europe as defined in the Bonn Declaration. The text was drafted in consultation with ALLEA and other European stakeholders who have been involved in the activities of the European Parliament Forum for Academic Freedom. The draft outlines the need to define and regulate obligations for public authorities and research organisations, as well as the rights for individual researchers that the freedom of scientific research provides.  

Developments over the past years such as attacks on the institutional autonomy in some European states have shown that academic freedom must be better protected. ALLEA strives to ensure that the public as well as policy-makers are aware of the importance of safeguarding the autonomy of science through advocacy for effective protection of this right. ALLEA’s interventions against infringements include a range of actions in support of academic institutions and individual researchers under threat (see, for instance, ALLEA’s support for displaced scientists). 

The motion will be presented to the European Parliament in September. Read more about ALLEA’s activities on academic freedom here.