Consolidating eUropean Science diPlomacy (CUSP)

Basic research , Environment , International relations , Politics

2026 - 2029

Provider	European Commission
Programme	Horizon Europe
Project code	101287256
Participants	Zentrum fur Soziale Innovation GMBH (coordinator), Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft - und Raumfahrt EV,Faculty of Social Sciences Charles University, Marie Curie Alumni Association, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, Centre fur European Policy Studies, Aarhus Universitet, Fundacion Espanola Para La Cienciay La Technologia, F.S.P., FECYT, Centro internazionale Di Altistudi Agrnomici Mediterranei, Enrich Global, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche

European science diplomacy is gaining strategic importance amidst global challenges, shifting geopolitics and the need for open yet sovereign R&I ecosystems, as recognised by the Global Approach to R&I and the new European Framework for Science Diplomacy. CUSP (Consolidating EUropean Science DiPlomacy) operationalises this Framework by consolidating actor networks, building capacities and providing sustainable instruments to support EU foreign and R&I policies. It directly targets the Work Programme’s expected outcomes by (i) delivering a taxonomy and evidence base for policymakers, (ii) establishing an operational European Science Diplomacy Platform as a neutral “do tank” offering on-demand policy advice, and (iii) providing tailored training and mutual-learning schemes for diplomats, science counsellors, policymakers and researchers.

CUSPs Pillar 1 creates a robust knowledge base via an AI-assisted mapping of science diplomacy players by country experts, a common taxonomy, a bibliometric study, and FAIR datasets (players, strategies, initiatives, training). Pillar 2 launches a permanent Platform with a Bureau and technical backbone, 10 thematic Working Groups producing policy outputs, and regional dialogues engaging Africa, Asia, the Arab States, Oceania, and North and Latin America. Pillar 3 co-creates a competence framework and curricula, pilots training and a train-the-trainer model and releases open resources for scale-up. A conference aligned with the Italian Council Presidency and five Impact Days broaden outreach.

CUSP goes beyond the state of the art by turning the recommendations of the European Framework report into practice through an integrated, sustained ecosystem rooted in the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance, ENRICH Global, UNESCO and other networks, ensuring legitimacy, inclusion and longevity. CUSP will translate Europe’s scientific strength into geopolitical influence, resilience and shared responsibility for global challenges.