On 2 June, ALLEA, on behalf of CoARA, together with the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and FORCE 11, organised a joint workshop in Singapore, co-located with the FORCE2026 Conference and hosted by Singapore Management University (SMU).
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) have been at the heart of European research excellence for more than three decades, supporting generations of researchers, fostering international collaboration, and strengthening research capacity across all disciplines.
Amid ongoing negotiations on the next Horizon Europe Framework Programme (FP10) and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), ALLEA has joined a coalition of leading European research and higher education organisations in calling on policymakers to preserve and strengthen the programme’s unique role in developing research talent for the long-term resilience and competitiveness of Europe.
The joint statement, MSCA: Research Talent is Europe’s Strategic Advantage, published on 29 June, argues that MSCA must remain a bottom-up, discipline-agnostic, researcher-driven programme within Pillar I of Horizon Europe. Rather than being redirected with top-down themes towards short-term labour market or industrial priorities, the programme should continue to invest in early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) across all scientific fields. This openness has been fundamental to MSCA’s success, enabling scientific breakthroughs, nurturing international networks, and ensuring Europe remains an attractive destination for research talent.
The statement also highlights the growing demand for MSCA funding, noting that many outstanding researchers and projects continue to go underfunded despite the programme’s proven impact. The signatories therefore urge European leaders not to redesign a model that works, but instead to increase investment so that MSCA can be strengthened to cultivate the knowledge, talent, and scientific capabilities on which Europe’s long-term competitiveness depends.
By co-signing this statement alongside fellow European research organisations, ALLEA reaffirms its commitment to protecting excellence-driven research, supporting early- and mid-career researchers, and ensuring that Europe continues to invest in the people whose ideas will shape tomorrow’s scientific and societal breakthroughs.
This is the second joint statement that ALLEA has issued on the MSCA. In June 2025, ALLEA joined 16 European research organisations, led by Coimbra Group, EU-LIFE and YERUN, in issuing a Statement calling on the European Commission and Member States to preserve the bottom-up structure of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), in response to a proposal to introduce directionality in the 2026–2027 Work Programme by steering project calls toward predefined areas.
Other ALLEA Initiatives to Support the MSCA
In May, ALLEA’s Science Policy Standing Committee submitted feedback to the European Commission’s Call for Input on the future development of the MSCA in FP10, reiterating that the core principles of scientific excellence, bottom-up competition, and openness across all disciplines should remain fundamental characteristics of the programme. Some highlights from ALLEA’s reflections on how to strengthen the MSCA include:
On 7 May, the ALLEA Science Policy Standing Committee (SPSC) convened in Brussels to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities for European science and research.
Hosted by the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (KVAB) and its President and SPSC Chair, Professor Godelieve Laureys, the meeting brought together experts from across Europe to exchange views on key science-policy developments and future priorities for the research landscape.
Discussions focused on a range of interconnected topics shaping the future of science in Europe, including public trust in science, research security, artificial intelligence, open science, and the sustainability of research systems. The committee members reflected on how European academies can contribute to addressing these challenges through independent expertise, collaboration, and engagement with policymakers and society.
In preparation for the upcoming ALLEA General Assembly in Warsaw (26-29 May), the SPSC explored different formats to engage Member Academies, particularly in the identification of crucial topics and issues that may require greater attention in the years ahead.
The Committee also explored a number of major policy developments shaping Europe’s future, including competitiveness, security, emerging technologies, and the green transition. The discussion underscored the growing need for independent scientific advice to address complex societal challenges, and highlighted the unique role of academies in bringing long-term perspectives to fast-moving policy debates.
The Science Policy Standing Committee is a central forum within ALLEA for strategic reflection on science-policy developments and for supporting collaboration across the European academy community. Established to respond to a rapidly evolving European research and innovation landscape, the Committee ensures that ALLEA’s activities remain timely, transparent, and strategically aligned with its mission to promote science for the benefit of society.
ALLEA has officially opened registrations for its General Assembly 2026, taking place from 26–29 May in Warsaw, hosted by the Polish Academy of Sciences. Bringing together leading voices from across the European research community, this year’s Assembly comes at a critical moment marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and increasing pressure on scientific institutions and academic freedom.
Under the theme “Towards a Futureproof European Research Area: Boosting Trust, Integrity, and Resilience,” the event will focus on how Europe can strengthen its research systems while safeguarding the core values of scientific independence, collaboration, and integrity.
As Europe navigates a complex landscape of global challenges and prepares for key policy developments such as the anticipated European Research Area (ERA) Act, the Assembly will provide a platform for essential dialogue among academies, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Discussions will explore not only policy solutions but also the role of the research community itself in reinforcing trust in science and sustaining cross-border collaboration.
A central highlight of the Assembly will be the ALLEA Public Conference on 27 May, held at the Copernicus Science Centre. The conference will open with a keynote address by Robbert Dijkgraaf, President-Elect of the International Science Council, followed by a high-level panel featuring perspectives from academia, research funders, publishers, and policy representatives.
The programme will also include:
All public-facing sessions are open to a broad audience, encouraging wide participation in shaping the future of the European Research Area.
With mounting challenges facing science and society, ALLEA invites participants from across Europe and beyond to take part in this timely exchange and contribute to building a more resilient and future-ready research ecosystem.
Registration is now open: https://forms.gle/m4TqrEEmS1KN4BVX6
Full programme and details: https://www.alleageneralassembly.org/
ALLEA looks forward to welcoming participants to Warsaw this May for what promises to be a vital and engaging gathering.
On 15 December, the ALLEA Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Research convened online for its first meeting.
The meeting followed the appointment of eight new members from ALLEA Member Academies, who joined seven continuing members from the existing group. It marked an important milestone in the Task Force’s renewed mandate, with discussions focusing on its objectives, reflections on past activities, and priority areas and working modes for the year ahead.
Initiated by the British Academy and co-chaired by Dr Molly Morgan Jones, the Task Force promotes intersectionality, fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness across the European research landscape. It provides a platform for sharing policies and innovative practices that improve access to research opportunities and leadership positions, address bias, including algorithmic bias, and support early- and mid-career researchers. Through evidence gathering, dialogue, and collaboration, the group aims to strengthen research excellence by fostering truly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.
Running from 2024 to at least 2026, the Task Force will continue to collect and disseminate good practices, develop principles and guidance, and offer recommendations to national academies and institutions. Its work seeks to improve framework conditions for EDI within the European Research Area (ERA), particularly in the contexts of strengthening gender equality and inclusiveness, improving access to excellence, making research careers more attractive and sustainable, promote equity in Open Science, and addressing bias in AI research, contributing to more inclusive and resilient research cultures across Europe.
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.
On 5 June 2025, ALLEA joined over a hundred experts, policymakers, scientists, and civil society leaders at the “Reimagine Food & Agriculture: A Strategic Summit on the Narratives that Shape our Reality”, hosted at the Palace of the Academies in Brussels by ALLEA member academy KVAB – the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts.
Convened by Re-Imagine Europa and held under the patronage of the European Parliament, the summit addressed a pressing question: How can we move beyond polarised debates and outdated narratives to create sustainable, resilient, and competitive food systems?
The event marked a key moment in shaping Europe’s agricultural and food policy at a time of rising geopolitical instability, climate urgency, and social division. It brought together a diverse coalition of actors, including the European Environmental Agency, European Institute for Agroecology, Environmental Defense Fund, European Food Forum, EU-SAGE, Euroseeds, Bruegel, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, as well as key EU institutions.
The day was opened by KVAB President Godelieve Laureys, who set the tone for strategic, cross-sector dialogue. Among the summit’s highlights was the participation of Lise Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences, who joined the opening panel to share insights on global food security and agricultural policy.
ALLEA contributed to the summit through:
A series of expert workshops convened over the past 18 months to depolarise the debate on sustainable food systems, bringing together stakeholders from science, farming, policymaking, and civil society.
Ongoing work on genome editing, including ethical, legal, and societal reflections, available here: Genome Editing for Crop Improvement
ALLEA’s contribution to the SAPEA evidence review report on sustainable food systems, which informs science-based policy advice within the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism: SAPEA Report
ALLEA thanks all partners and participants who are helping shape the future of food and agriculture in Europe and beyond.
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.”
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Three years have passed since the beginning of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine—a period marked by atrocities against the Ukrainian people and immense challenges for its scientific community. ALLEA reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with Ukraine’s scholars and scientists and with its academic institutions, especially our member, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Since the conflict began, ALLEA has taken a clear and principled stance supporting Ukraine’s academic sector, while advocating for accountability and justice within the international scientific community. In response to the crisis, we implemented the European Fund for Displaced Scientists (EFDS), which provided essential resources to Ukrainian researchers forced to flee their homes, as well as to Ukrainian scientific institutions to continue their research efforts amidst the war. Collaborative efforts, such as our conferences with the International Science Council (ISC), further provided platforms to address the ongoing challenges faced by the Ukrainian academic system and to foster global solidarity.
ALLEA remains committed to long-term initiatives like the 10-Point Action Plan to Support the Ukrainian Academic System, which outlines essential steps for preserving and rebuilding Ukraine’s scientific infrastructure. As ALLEA President Paweł Rowiński stated, “It is our shared responsibility to ensure that Ukrainian researchers are supported not only in the short term but also as part of broader efforts to sustain and rebuild their academic institutions.”
On this sombre occasion, ALLEA reaffirms its commitment to support the resilience and perseverance of Ukraine’s scientific community. We will continue to stand with Ukrainian researchers and institutions, advocating for their freedom, safety, and ability to contribute to the global scientific endeavour.
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:
Read the Statement in full here.
