
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 |
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