Overhead aerial shot of several stacks of multi-coloured containers stored on a dock

Cross-border Collaboration

In a globalised research ecosystem, collaboration is key. This collaboration also brings challenges linked to the diversity of scientific and legal environments. Science Europe supports the development of improved mechanisms to support cross-border collaboration and contributes to the development of international dialogue on the topic.

Why does cross-border collaboration matter?

Knowledge and its production are not bound by national borders. In an increasingly complex and interconnected global scientific ecosystem, effective collaboration is key to push the frontiers of knowledge and innovation, maximise its economic and societal impact, and strengthen the attractiveness of Europe as a research and innovation hub.

Science Europe Member Organisations share an ambition to support excellent science and a competitive Europe in the world landscape. They collaborate to allow their research communities to work in the most productive national and international configurations, in order to address research challenges but also to support less research intensive regions.

What are the current priorities?

Science Europe works to foster cross-border collaboration within and beyond Europe while reducing the administrative burden for researchers. To this end, sufficient funding and appropriate tools are needed for researchers that collaborate across borders in diverse scientific and legal environments.

Cross-border collaboration also involves a degree of interoperability. Collaborative schemes must favour common approaches based on mutual trust and understanding between organisations.

Dialogue at global level, including the sharing of data and best practices, is also fundamental for high-quality collaboration among research organisations worldwide.

What is Science Europe doing to achieve these aims?

Science Europe Member Organisations collaborate to design new strategies and develop mechanisms for increased and more effective collaboration within and outside of European borders. Member Organisations exchange knowledge and practices to continuously improve the tools available for collaboration, and develop solutions to challenges faced by national research communities.

Science Europe is also an active voice in the international research community. It contributes to the active European involvement in the Global Research Council and participates in discussions designed to find common understanding on topics of specific importance for research and researchers across the world.

Country	Organisation	Acronym	Name
Austria	Austrian Science Fund	FWF	Reinhard Belocky
Belgium	Fund for Scientific Research	FRS-FNRS	Joël Groeneveld
Belgium	Research Foundation Flanders	FWO	Olivier Boehme
Belgium	Research Foundation Flanders	FWO	Isabelle Verbaeys
Croatia	Croatian Science Foundation	HRZZ	Jasminka Boljević
Croatia	Croatian Science Foundation	HRZZ	Kristina Kotiščak
Czech Republic	Czech Science Foundation	GAČR	Zuzana Naylon
Finland	Academy of Finland	AKA	Johanna Hakala
France	French National Research Agency	ANR	Nakita Vodjdani
Germany	German Research Foundation	DFG	Myriam Poll
Germany	German Research Foundation	DFG	Michael Moessle
Germany	Max Planck Society	MPG	Felix Kahle
Ireland	Health Research Board	HRB	Mairead O’Driscoll
Luxembourg	National Research Fund	FNR	Helena Burg
Netherlands	Dutch Research Council	NWO	Sebastiaan den Bak
Norway	Research Council of Norway	RCN	Eivind Hovden
Norway	Research Council of Norway	RCN	Kristin Danielsen
Poland	Foundation for Polish Science	FNP	Maria Pawłowska
Poland	National Science Centre Poland	NCN	Justyna Woźniakowska
Sweden	Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development	FORMAS	Katarina Nordqvist
Sweden	Swedish Research Council	VR	Johan Lindell
Switzerland	Swiss National Science Foundation	SNSF	Dominique Lazo-Flores
Switzerland	Swiss National Science Foundation	SNSF	Jean-Luc Barras
United Kingdom	UK Research and Innovation	UKRI	Paul Wiley

Cross-border Collaboration and Portfolio Management of Research Infrastructures

This report explores the challenges facing research funding and performing organisations to design and manage balanced Research Infrastructure (RI) portfolios and design effective cross-border collaborations when setting up and running joint RIs. Discussions with a broad range of stakeholders took place at a dedicated workshop co-hosted by Science Foundation Ireland and the Health Research Board.

03.10.2015

Lead Agency Procedure Strategies

This report analyses the underlying preconditions and efficiency of Lead Agency Procedure (LAP), based on the evidence available from the many LAP partnerships among Science Europe’s members. It also contains policy recommendations for research organisations so that they gain a more accurate understanding of the Lead Agency principles and are made more able to judge on its scope and limitations.

01.01.2014

Practical Guide to Three Approaches to Cross-border Collaboration

In a globalised research ecosystem, collaboration is key. This collaboration also brings challenges linked to the diversity of scientific and legal environments. The aim of this practical guide is to provide better and more efficient means for research organisations to apply a set of optional models for cross-border collaboration and to help them achieve more successful and easier implementation.

02.12.2013

Science Europe Roadmap

The Roadmap, approved by the Science Europe General Assembly in November 2013, is Science Europe’s action plan to contribute to the elements of a successful research system. It acts as a framework for voluntary collective activity, providing a long-term strategy for the association. The ‘Priority Action Areas’ are those in which Science Europe members believe that there is a potential to achieve tangible and substantive progress, and where they can add real value by working together.