Fostering the consolidation of European science diplomacy

Projects should deliver: 1. A comprehensive, user-friendly taxonomy and mapping of the European science diplomacy ecosystem, covering all relevant players (academia, policy, diplomacy, civil society, business), existing capacities, infrastructures, networks (including diaspora and alumni), training activities, strategies and publications at EU and national levels, plus a mapping of third-country science diplomacy strategies to inform EU policy responses. 2. The design, development and launch of a European Science Diplomacy Platform as a vibrant community of research and practice that provides an impartial space for interaction, institutional capacity building, knowledge sharing and scaling up of best practices, connecting EU/national actors, diaspora scientists and alumni, and linking existing platforms. 3. Schemes, competence frameworks and curricula for training, capacity-building and mutual learning in science diplomacy, tailored to the needs of science counsellors and diplomats handling science-intensive matters, building on MSCA, ERC, COST, EURAXESS, European Universities, European Diplomatic Academy and national programmes. 4. Mechanisms (including pilot fellowship schemes) for continuous training, capacity-building and mutual learning in European science diplomacy, both in Member State/Associated Countries’ institutions at home and in diplomatic representations abroad. 5. Concrete support tools and services for policymakers and diplomatic services, including: advising on science diplomacy for EU foreign/security policy (e.g., Global Gateway), identifying research needs, providing science advice and communication to strengthen multilateralism and democratic governance, designing impact-assessment methods, exploring synergies with other diplomacy domains (tech/digital/public/cultural), assisting policy dialogues with third-country stakeholders and international organisations, and supporting EU global outreach (e.g., UNESCO). 6. A data management plan and delivery of all produced data in accordance with FAIR principles to ensure findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability of resources.

Proposals must: (1) build on the outputs and recommendations of the Horizon 2020 science diplomacy cluster (S4D4C, InsSciDE, EL-CSID) and the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance, as well as input from the SFIC roadmap; (2) reflect recent EU policy developments (Global Approach to R&I, Council Conclusions, Competitiveness Council, Spanish Presidency Science Diplomacy Conference and Working Groups); (3) address the need to consolidate science diplomacy efforts amid a complex geopolitical and scientific-technological environment and strategic competition; (4) deliver an operational mapping of all relevant European and third-country science diplomacy actors, capacities and strategies; (5) establish a sustainable European Science Diplomacy Platform integrating existing infrastructures and networks; (6) develop training schemes, competence frameworks and curricula tailored to science diplomats and counsellors; (7) explore fellowship schemes and mutual learning mechanisms; (8) propose concrete science-diplomatic support services for policy formulation, impact assessment, stakeholder engagement and multilateral cooperation; and (9) ensure data generated adhere to FAIR principles and envisage engagement with partners outside the EU.