ALLEA Calls for Global Defence of International Research Collaboration and Academic Freedom

 

 

On 29 June, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA) published a new Statement, Science Knows No Borders, condemning a new rule proposed by the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that fundamentally changes the federal grant system.

If adopted, the proposed rule would fundamentally alter the conditions under which international research collaborations involving US-funded research can take place, with far-reaching implications for academic freedom, scientific excellence, and global innovation.

The proposal, published by the OMB on 29 May 2026, would introduce new restrictions on collaboration with broadly defined “covered foreign entities”, while expanding political oversight of research partnerships and funding decisions. ALLEA warns that these measures risk replacing independent scientific judgement with vague political criteria, and undermines peer review, institutional autonomy, and the open exchange of knowledge that underpins scientific progress.

“Science advances through the free exchange of ideas, knowledge, and expertise across borders,” the Statement notes. “Researchers must be able to choose collaborators solely on the basis of the added value of their scientific contribution.” The new rule would sacrifice research integrity for the sake of partisan politics.

International scientific collaboration has long been central to addressing global challenges, from climate change and public health to emerging technologies such as generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and food security. Restricting research partnerships would not only weaken research excellence and innovation but also diminish the global scientific community’s ability to respond collectively to challenges that transcend national borders.

This Statement by ALLEA reiterates our support for Academic Freedom in the United States and beyond, and emphasises our fundamental belief in maintaining Science as a global public good.

A Call for Collective Action

ALLEA is calling on the global scientific community to respond during the ongoing public consultation on the proposed rule, which remains open until 13 July 2026. The consultation provides a critical opportunity for researchers, universities, academies, funding organisations, and policymakers around the world to demonstrate their support for open international scientific cooperation and to highlight the broader consequences these proposals could have for research and innovation.

The statement urges:

  • Research institutions, universities, academies and research funders to submit institutional responses and coordinate evidence-based advocacy across disciplines and borders.
  • National governments and EU policymakers to engage with their US counterparts and reaffirm that international scientific cooperation strengthens research excellence and competitiveness.
  • Individual researchers to share concrete examples demonstrating the value of international collaboration and document instances where scientific partnerships have been hindered or cancelled.

At a time when global challenges increasingly require global solutions, ALLEA emphasises that protecting academic freedom and preserving open scientific collaboration are essential for maintaining research excellence and public trust in science.

Find the full ALLEA Statement, as well as resources to support you in engaging with the public consultation here. 

ALLEA Contributes to High-Level Discussions on the Role of Science in Ukraine’s Recovery

On 26 June, ALLEA participated in the first High-Level Steering Committee Meeting of the International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine in Gdańsk, Poland, reaffirming the role of European academies in supporting Ukraine’s scientific community and contributing to the country’s long-term recovery through science, research, and innovation. 

Representing ALLEA were its President, Paweł Rowiński, and Senior Policy & Strategy Officer, Matthias Johannsen. Convened within the framework of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, the meeting brought together ministers, research organisations, funding agencies, international organisations, and scientific networks to provide strategic guidance for the Coalition’s future work and strengthen international coordination in support of Ukrainian science.  

ALLEA has supported Ukrainian science since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Through initiatives such as the European Fund for Displaced Scientists (EFDS), advocacy for academic freedom and sustained cooperation among its Member Academies, ALLEA has consistently argued that science and research are essential to Ukraine’s resilience, recovery, and future integration into the European Research Area. 

President Rowiński signs the Gdańsk Declaration

A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of the Gdańsk Declaration on Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine, which sets out a shared vision for making science, research, and innovation key pillars of Ukraine’s modern and sustainable recovery. The Declaration calls for coordinated international action to strengthen research capacity, support institutional reform, foster international partnerships, and invest in both people and institutions as Ukraine rebuilds its research and innovation ecosystem.  

During the High-Level Roundtable, President Rowiński delivered an intervention on behalf of ALLEA, stressing that rebuilding Ukraine must go beyond reconstructing physical infrastructure to supporting and maintaining scientific capacity. He highlighted the importance of long-term institutional partnerships, trusted scientific networks, and sustained investment in researchers. He also underlined the central role of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and other research organisations in the country’s recovery from the war.  

Drawing on ALLEA’s recent work, Prof Rowiński referred to the newly established EFDS Alumni Network, which enables displaced and diaspora researchers to contribute knowledge, mentoring, and collaboration in support of Ukraine’s scientific recovery, as well as to the Appeal in Support of Ukrainian Science, recently adopted by the ALLEA General Assembly in May 2026, reaffirming the long-term commitment of European academies to supporting Ukrainian researchers and institutions.  

The discussions throughout the meeting reflected a shared understanding that support for Ukrainian science must evolve from emergency assistance towards long-term capacity-building. Participants repeatedly emphasised the importance of sustainably investing in researchers, institutions, and international partnerships, improving coordination among international initiatives, and ensuring that science, research and innovation are fully embedded in Ukraine’s recovery and future integration into the European Research Area.  

By adopting the Gdańsk Declaration, ALLEA joins fellow Coalition members in reaffirming that strengthening Ukrainian science is an investment not only in Ukraine’s future, but also in a more resilient and competitive European Research Area. 

ALLEA Task Forces Meet in London to Discuss Academic Freedom, Research Security, and Data Protection

On 15 June, the ALLEA Task Forces on Integrating Research Security and Academic Freedom and on Protecting and Sharing Data held hybrid meetings in London, hosted by the Royal Society and King’s College London.

The meeting brought together 17 experts – virtually and in person – to navigate the increasingly complex intersections of Open Science, institutional safety, and geopolitical pressures in rapidly changing research environments.  

During the morning sessions, the Task Force on Integrating Research Security and Academic Freedom evaluated the rise of government oversight over federally funded research. Members of the task force contrasted prescriptive international regulations with empowering, risk-management approaches. They analysed how economic security complicates national security definitions, and explored distinct disciplinary challenges, such as dual-use export controls in applied sciences versus transnational repression in the humanities.

In parallel, the Task Force on Protecting and Sharing Data discussed the responsible and resilient use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research, focusing on risks like commercial tool dependency and data poisoning (the intentional and malicious injection of corrupted, biased, or false information into an AI or machine learning model’s training dataset). They also addressed urgent European Commission consultations regarding Text and Data Mining (TDM) rights, open access frameworks, and the friction between the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and academic research. This task force is currently drafting a statement on generative AI and research integrity. 

This was followed by a joint session, during which the task forces assessed strategic synergies, examining how data protection, trust, and transparency overlap with research security. Their dialogue emphasised that bolstering internal data security and collaboration is essential for protecting trust among researchers. They further concluded that better communication of the broad societal value of academic freedom is crucial for safeguarding public trust in science. To bridge their respective mandates and move their work forward, the task forces committed to ensuring a regular knowledge exchange. 

Event Report: ALLEA General Assembly 2026

From 26-29 May 2026, ALLEA organised a series of events as part of its 2026 General Assembly in Warsaw, Poland, in collaboration with long-standing member, the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Read more

Event Report: Supporting the Ukrainian Research Ecosystem through International Exchange and Collaboration

Held alongside the ALLEA General Assembly 2026 in Warsaw, Poland, the satellite event, ‘Supporting the Ukrainian Research Ecosystem through International Exchange and Collaboration’ convened representatives of European academies, Ukrainian research institutions, policymakers, and members of the Ukrainian scientific diaspora to discuss the future of Ukrainian science in the context of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

The event provided a platform to reflect on four years of international support efforts, assess current challenges facing the Ukrainian research ecosystem, and identify concrete measures to strengthen its resilience, recovery, and integration into the European Research Area.

The discussions highlighted the remarkable resilience of Ukrainian science despite the severe disruption caused by the war. Speakers emphasised that Ukrainian researchers and institutions continue to produce scientific knowledge, maintain international partnerships, and contribute to the country’s recovery under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. At the same time, participants stressed that preserving and developing Ukraine’s research capacity is not only a matter of solidarity, but a strategic investment in Europe’s shared scientific future.

From Emergency Support to Ecosystem Building 

A central theme throughout the event was the evolution of support measures since 2022. Participants agreed that while emergency assistance remains necessary, international efforts must increasingly focus on long-term capacity building and institutional development.

The event marked a transition from emergency support measures towards a long-term agenda focused on resilience, recovery, international integration, and the future role of science in Ukraine’s reconstruction. 

Particular attention was given to the European Fund for Displaced Scientists (EFDS), launched by ALLEA and the Breakthrough Prize Foundation in March 2022. Established as one of the earliest academic support initiatives following Russia’s full-scale invasion, the programme supported displaced Ukrainian researchers hosted across Europe and Ukrainian research institutions operating under wartime conditions. Since its launch, the programme has benefited approximately 140 scholars, contributed to more than 300 scientific publications, and facilitated extensive international collaboration.

Survey findings presented during the event demonstrated the programme’s enduring impact. Most respondents reported that EFDS support had been crucial for maintaining their research activities and accessing research infrastructure. The survey also revealed strong evidence of sustained collaboration between grantees, host institutions, and Ukrainian organisations, highlighting the programme’s success in fostering long-term international networks rather than encouraging permanent migration.

The experience of the EFDS programme demonstrates that targeted international support can strengthen “brain circulation”, enabling researchers to remain connected to both Ukrainian and European scientific communities while contributing to the development of both. 

Current Needs and Future Priorities 

Discussions on the current needs of Ukrainian science identified several interconnected priorities. Participants repeatedly highlighted the importance of preserving human capital, particularly among early-career researchers, many of whom face uncertain career prospects due to the war. Strengthening opportunities for research collaboration, mobility, and professional development was seen as essential for retaining talent and supporting the next generation of Ukrainian scientists.

At the institutional level, speakers pointed to the urgent need for investment in research infrastructure, laboratory equipment, and access to international research facilities. The destruction and degradation of scientific infrastructure across Ukraine have created significant barriers to research activity, making coordinated international support indispensable.

The recovery of Ukraine’s research ecosystem will depend not only on rebuilding infrastructure, but on sustaining the people, institutions, and international partnerships that underpin scientific excellence. 

Participants also emphasised that future support should increasingly target researchers and institutions working inside Ukraine. Proposed measures included joint international funding schemes, bilateral cooperation programmes, collaborative research centres, access to specialised facilities abroad, and mechanisms for donating scientific equipment to Ukrainian institutions.

Many of these recommendations were subsequently reflected in the Appeal of the ALLEA General Assembly in Support of Ukrainian Science, adopted by ALLEA Member Academy Delegates on 28 May 2026.

The Role of the Scientific Diaspora 

A dedicated session explored the contribution of Ukrainian researchers working abroad to the future development of Ukrainian science. Speakers described the scientific diaspora as a vital resource for fostering international partnerships, transferring expertise, supporting access to funding opportunities, and strengthening links between Ukrainian institutions and global research networks.

The Ukrainian scientific diaspora should be understood not as a loss of talent, but as a strategic asset capable of accelerating international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and future recovery efforts. 

To support these objectives, the event marked the official launch of the EFDS Alumni Network. Building on the relationships established through the fellowship programme, the network will create opportunities for community-building, networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among former grantees and partners. It is intended to serve as a long-term platform for mobilising expertise and maintaining meaningful engagement with Ukrainian science.

Conclusions 

The event demonstrated a strong and enduring commitment among European academies, research organisations, and policymakers to support Ukrainian science. Participants agreed that science and innovation must be recognised as integral components of Ukraine’s recovery and future development.

A resilient, internationally connected, and well-supported research system is not a secondary element of Ukraine’s recovery – it is one of its preconditions.  

The discussions and recommendations emerging from the event reaffirmed the importance of sustained international cooperation and provided a roadmap for strengthening the resilience, recovery, and global integration of Ukraine’s research ecosystem in the years ahead.

 

 

 

ALLEA Issues Appeal for Support of Ukrainian Science

On 28 May 2026, ALLEA Delegates adopted the Appeal of the ALLEA General Assembly in Support of Ukrainian Science, which called for sustained international action to strengthen a resilient, modern, and globally integrated Ukrainian research system, thereby reaffirming the network’s solidarity with the Ukrainian scientific community.

Building on the ten-point Action Plan first adopted in 2022, the Appeal highlights the continued resilience of Ukrainian researchers and institutions despite the immense challenges posed by Russia’s ongoing aggression. It also underscores the vital role that science and research must play in Ukraine’s recovery, resilience, and long-term prosperity.

The Appeal, published on 5  June, calls on leaders, funding organisations, research institutions, ALLEA Member Academies, and the international research community to take concrete actions to strengthen the Ukrainian research ecosystem. The recommended actions include, among others, supporting international collaboration, creating joint centres of excellence, funding research partnerships with Ukrainian researchers/institutions, providing access to research infrastructure, and investing in the next generation of Ukrainian scientists. These recommendations emerged from the multistakeholder discussions that took place during the satellite event of the 2026 ALLEA General Assembly, titled, Supporting the Ukrainian Research Ecosystem through International Exchange and Collaboration.

Panel discussing the most pressing needs of Ukrainian research system; (L to R): Mateusz Białas (Director of PAS Representative Office in Kyiv), Frederik Søndergaard (European Commission DG RTD/International Coalition for Ukraine), Nataliya Vasylyeva (Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics of NASU & EFDS beneficiary institution, Sloviansk)

Adopted four years after the original Action Plan, the Appeal serves as a renewed call for collective action to ensure that Ukrainian science remains a strong and integral part of Europe’s shared intellectual and cultural heritage. It is ALLEA’s latest effort to ensure that international support for Ukrainian science remains steadfast and for the long-term, as an active member of the International Coalition for Science, Research, and Innovation in Ukraine.

Read the full Appeal here.

ALLEA and Partners Call for Stronger Action on Open Science in the European Research Area

On 13 May, in the context of the ongoing consultation on the European Research Area (ERA) Act, ALLEA joined forces with EIFL, IFLA, LIBER, OPERAS, and SPARC Europe to issue a joint Statement calling for renewed political commitment to Open Science as a cornerstone of a strong, competitive, and resilient European Research Area.

The Statement was issued on behalf of thousands of European universities, research-performing organisations, libraries, scholarly infrastructures, and academies of sciences and humanities.

While substantial progress has been made in recent years through initiatives such as the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, the ERA Policy Agenda, and national Open Science strategies, significant barriers continue to hinder equitable participation in, and access to, Open Science across Europe. Financial, linguistic, geographic, and legal inequalities remain major obstacles to the full realisation of an open and inclusive research ecosystem. In the Statement, the signatories emphasised that including targeted legislative measures to support Open Science in the ERA Act would be a necessary, but insufficient, move to create a sustainable open research culture – achieving true openness will require sustained investment in infrastructures, policy alignment, incentives, and community-led initiatives across the European research ecosystem.

The statement highlights Open Science as fundamental to the free circulation of knowledge and essential for strengthening research integrity, transparency, reproducibility, evidence-based policymaking, and European competitiveness. It also emphasises that Open Science is crucial for ensuring Europe’s strategic autonomy and capacity to respond to societal and geopolitical challenges.

Key Highlights Include: 

  • Ensure immediate Open Access (OA) to publicly funded research outputs, including publications, research data, software, methods, and protocols.
  • We need to advance equitable, not-for-profit and publicly governed publishing models, including Diamond OA and publish-review-curate models, to become new standard models and trusted open repositories that enable dissemination without financial or technical barriers.
  • Establish harmonised legal frameworks, including a Secondary Publication Right, to enable researchers to share and reuse publicly funded research without embargoes or contractual restrictions.
  • A coherent and coordinated approach is needed to enable effective data reuse across Europe.
  • ‘As open as possible, as closed as necessary’ approaches make it possible to address legitimate concerns around security and risk while facilitating responsible research innovation.

 

The signatories called on European institutions and Member States to seize the opportunity presented by the ERA Act to create the enabling conditions necessary for a research ecosystem that is responsibly open, innovative, inclusive, resilient, and above all, grounded in European values.

Read the full Statement here.

 

ALLEA Science Policy Standing Committee Sets Priorities for Horizon Scanning, Task Force Coordination, and Emerging Policy Challenges

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. 

SAPEA Advanced Materials

The EU Cannot Afford Fragmented Approach to Advanced Materials, Academies Advise European Commission

The Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) has advised the European Commission on how to strengthen Europe’s position in the development and deployment of advanced materials.

The Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA), through its working group of renowned scientists nominated by European academies to work on the topic, played a pivotal role in this advice. The experts provided the overview of the current scientific knowledge on the topic — which the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA) has used to inform their policy recommendations.

The SAPEA Evidence Review Report and the GCSA Scientific recommendations were submitted on 21 April in Brussels to Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation.

The advice comes in support of the upcoming Advanced Materials Act.

Advanced materials, including superconducting materials for computers, biomaterials for drug delivery, and materials that store or distribute energy more efficiently, are designed to deliver superior performance for specific functionalities. These materials are essential for Europe’s autonomy, competitiveness, and resilience.

As co-chair of the SAPEA working group, Anke Weidenkaff, explains, “Europe leads in computational modelling and first-principles simulation codes, yet lacks the high-quality, specialised datasets needed for AI-driven discovery of more sustainable materials. Additionally, Europe’s fragmented cross-border economic ecosystems weaken its ability to compete with concentrated advanced materials manufacturing hubs elsewhere.”

Based on the evidence provided by SAPEA, the GCSA made a range of policy recommendations to the European Commission for advancing Europe’s advanced materials ecosystem, including:

  • Safety and sustainability from the outset: Progressive criteria and standards should be applied, with increasing requirements as the technology comes closer
    to market.
  • Circular economy and material substitution: Given geopolitical volatility and unreliable supply chains, the EU needs more circular systems that maximise
    recovery and reuse of materials.
  • Digitalisation and FAIR data: The EU should develop common data languages, enforce FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles
    across all research, and use AI to connect databases and benefit from existing scientific literature.
  • Standards as enablers: Europe’s strength in standards and regulation can become a competitive advantage, provided standards are designed to enable
    rather than hinder innovation. Clear, applicable standards reduce time to market and build investor confidence.
  • Coordinated ecosystems: Transforming scientific advances into market-ready products requires closing the gap between research and industrial
    manufacturing. The EU must strengthen connections between discovery, scaleup and manufacturing, provide more support to small and medium enterprises,
    and harmonise regulatory approvals across the continent.
  • Support fundamental research: Investment must expand to include education pipelines and address training and skills shortages.

“Investment in fundamental research and human capacity is crucial. Fundamental science requires long-term, predictable funding without expectations of rapid returns,” concluded SAPEA co-chair Olli Ikkala.

The Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) provides independent scientific evidence and policy recommendations to the College of European Commissioners on any subject, including on issues that the European Parliament and the Council consider to be of major importance. The SAM comprises the Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA),  a consortium of academy networks that includes over a hundred academies, young academies, and learned societies, including ALLEA, whose role is to review and synthesise evidence and the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA), seven eminent scientists whose role is to make policy recommendations.

For the full evidence review report and scientific opinion on Advanced Materials, visit the Scientific Advice Mechanism website.  For more information, contact Justine Moynat.

ALLEA Research Ethics and Integrity Council

ALLEA Research Ethics and Integrity Council Holds Inaugural Meeting in Berlin

On 24 March 2026, the ALLEA Research Ethics and Integrity Council (REIC) held its inaugural meeting at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) in Berlin. It brought together research ethics and integrity experts from ALLEA Member Academies under the chairpersonship of Dr Maura Hiney (Royal Irish Academy). The meeting marked the formal launch of the Council’s activities, building on the legacy of ALLEA’s Permanent Working Group on Science and Ethics (PWGSE) and its contributions to shaping the European research integrity landscape.

The session was opened by ALLEA’s new Director, Tatjana König, who welcomed Council members. She acknowledged the achievements of the PWGSE, particularly the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ECoC), now widely recognised as a key reference document for researchers, institutions, funders and policymakers. Council members represent a wide range of disciplines – including philosophy, law, medical ethics, computer science, and the natural sciences – and diverse national contexts, reflecting the interdisciplinary and international nature of research ethics and integrity challenges.

The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity: Towards the Next Revision

A central focus of the meeting was the future development of the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ECoC). Building on its 2023 revision, the Council initiated discussions on the next update, envisaged for publication in 2028. Members emphasised the importance of maintaining the Code’s core principles while ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly evolving research environment. Since the 2023 publication, the Code has been translated into 25 European and non-European languages.

Key areas identified for consideration in the next revision include the implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the ethical dimensions of research in poly-crisis contexts, research security, funding transparency, and the influence of social media on research practices. The group also highlighted the need to maintain the high-level nature of the Code while balancing specificity with flexibility, ensuring that the Code remains applicable across national systems and disciplinary contexts.

Preparatory work on the revision process is now underway, which will be informed by extensive stakeholder consultation planned over the coming year. Digital presentation of the Code to highlight the excellent supplements produced by EU projects on specific ethics and integrity issues will also form part of the Council’s work.

Strengthening Research Ethics and Integrity through European Collaboration

The Council also discussed its contribution to European research policy, particularly in the context of the European Research Area (ERA) and specifically in the ERA Action 18 on Ethics and Integrity. The REIC will support ongoing efforts to promote the dissemination and implementation of the Code, as well as to monitor emerging ethical challenges across Europe.

Two Horizon Europe-funded projects – SIMPLIFY and SAEGE – were presented as key initiatives linked to the Council’s work. SIMPLIFY aims to strengthen the implementation of research ethics and integrity frameworks at institutional level, while SAEGE supports the activities of the European Group on Ethics (EGE) by providing research and evidence synthesis. Both projects offer important opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and alignment with the REIC’s objectives.

Looking Ahead: Priorities and Next Steps

The meeting concluded with an exchange on priorities for the Council’s future work. In addition to the Code revision, members identified a range of topics for further exploration, including academic freedom, citizen science, responsible research in policy contexts, and the ethical implications of commercialisation and dual-use research.

The inaugural meeting demonstrated a strong commitment among members to advancing research ethics and integrity in Europe and to ensuring that the European Code of Conduct remains a robust and forward-looking framework for responsible research.