International
Cooperation
International Cooperation
International cooperation is a key dimension of the European Research Area (ERA), enabling collaboration across borders to address global challenges and strengthen Europe’s position in the world. It supports access to knowledge, talent, and infrastructures beyond Europe, while fostering scientific excellence, innovation, and mutual learning. At the same time, it requires balancing openness with the protection of European values, interests, and research integrity.
In the ERA, international cooperation focuses on building strategic, reciprocal partnerships with global partners, promoting multilateral collaboration, and supporting coordinated engagement across countries and institutions. It plays a central role in strengthening Europe’s research and innovation ecosystems, enhancing global competitiveness, and advancing solutions to shared societal challenges.
In the ERA Policy Agenda (2025–2027), international cooperation is addressed through actions implementing the Global Approach to Research and Innovation, with a focus on strategic partnerships, science diplomacy, and coordinated frameworks. This builds on the ERA Policy Agenda 2022–2024, which established common principles for open, value-based and balanced international collaboration.
ERA tools and resources
Global Approach to Research and Innovation
Provides the EU’s strategic framework for international R&I cooperation based on openness, reciprocity and shared values.
European Science Diplomacy Framework
Supports coordinated European engagement in global research through common principles, tools and policy approaches.
ERA Policy Platform
Central hub for monitoring, information and exchange on ERA actions, including international cooperation activities and progress.
EU Science Diplomacy Working Groups
Facilitate coordination and knowledge exchange between Member States and stakeholders on international R&I engagement.
Team Europe Initiatives
Support coordinated international partnerships by scaling bilateral and regional cooperation with countries such as the Western Balkans, Türkiye, Africa and Latin America.
Global Gateway
Links research and innovation cooperation with broader EU external action, supporting partnerships and capacity building globally.
EU Knowledge Network on China (EUKNOC)
Supports coordinated EU approaches to research and innovation cooperation with China through shared expertise and analysis.
Source: ERA Policy Platform, INSPIRING ERA
Related EU projects and initiatives
- WorldFAIR (2022-2024)
Promotes global cooperation on FAIR data practices through international case studies and shared standards. - MSCA4Ukraine (2022-2027)
Supports displaced researchers from Ukraine through fellowships and integration into European research systems. - ALMASI (2025-2027)
Builds a Diamond Open Access ecosystem connecting Europe, Africa and Latin America to support equitable knowledge sharing. - EuroHub4Sino (2023-2026)
Strengthens European expertise and coordination on China to support informed and strategic R&I cooperation.
