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).
On 11-12 June, the Accademia delle Scienze di Torino hosted ALLEA and the Scientific Advice Mechanism for two events discussing issues at the intersection of science and policy.
The Use of AI in Crises
On 12 June, the Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) organised an event in Turin, Italy in collaboration with the Accademia delle Scienze di Torino and ALLEA, titled, “AI for Crises and Emergencies: Understanding and Communicating Disasters”, in an effort to disseminate the recently published Rapid Evidence Review Report on “Artificial Intelligence in Crisis and Emergency Management” and the statement of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. The event was moderated by Antonello Provenzale, a member of the ALLEA Task Force on Strengthening Trust in Science.
Emilija Stojmenova Duh, Chair of the ALLEA Task Force on Strengthening Trust in Science
Speakers, including Chair of the ALLEA Task Force on Strengthening Trust in Science, Emilija Stojmenova Duh, explored AI’s potential to improve hazard prediction and disaster analysis, as well as risks such as disinformation, bias, hallucinations in large language models (LLMs), and the lack of representation of marginalised populations. Discussions focused on the regulation of AI use during crises, accountability issues, the promise of agentic AI and chatbots for personalised emergency communication, mis-/disinformation dynamics, and the effective use of AI-based early-warning systems.
The event was well attended with national press and TV (TGR Leonardo del 12/06/2026 ore 14:50 | TGR Leonardo, Rubrica del TGR) present to report on it. You can read the latest SAM Advice on AI in crisis management here.
Strengthening Trust in Science
On 11 June, the ALLEA Task Force on Strengthening Trust in Science also met in Turin, bringing together members from across Europe to take stock of the Task Force’s progress and shape its future direction. Discussions focused on a range of issues at the heart of contemporary debates on trust in science, including research integrity, scholarly communication, AI, democracy, and the relationship between scientific institutions and society. Members explored how these themes intersect across the Task Force’s three working groups and discussed potential outputs for the coming year, including a symposium on science, democracy, and public trust planned in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). Throughout the engaging discussions, Task Force members emphasised the importance of combining conceptual reflection with practical relevance and of fostering dialogue across disciplines and sectors.
Following the meeting, participants were welcomed for an insightful guided visit to Turin’s renowned Museo Egizio, home to one of the world’s most important collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts outside Egypt. The visit offered a valuable opportunity for informal exchanges and further discussion among members in a unique cultural setting, before concluding the day with a group dinner in the historic centre of Turin.
ALLEA announces a call for applications for the next edition of the ALLEA Madame de Staël Prize 2026. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2026.
The ALLEA Madame de Staël Prize is awarded annually. It is part of the larger mission of ALLEA to not only promote the intellectual, scientific, and cultural richness of Europe, but also to support and acknowledge scholarly contributions that add to these valuable European assets.
The idea of the ALLEA Madame de Staël Prize emerged in 2014 with the inauguration of the “New Narrative for Europe” project initiated by then President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso (2004–2014).
The Prize recognises researchers or intellectuals whose work has contributed significantly to the advancement of Europe. A laureate’s work is ideally of an interdisciplinary nature and exhibits a remarkable and demonstrable contribution to the processes behind European development, integration and identity.
The laureate of the ALLEA Madame de Staël Prize 2026 is set to be announced at the end of the year, with a Prize handover ceremony planned for ALLEA General Assembly on 11–12 May 2027 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
ALLEA Madame de Staël Prize 2025 was awarded to Professor Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council (ERC), in recognition of her outstanding contributions to European research leadership, and the advancement of frontier science across Europe.
Note that only ALLEA Member Academies can put forth a nomination. Please find more detailed information on the nomination process for the ALLEA Madame de Staël Prize here.
Nominations should be directed electronically to ALLEA Liaison Officer, Dagmara Bożek by 30 September 2026.
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 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
