European science diplomacy is gaining strategic importance amidst shifting geopolitics, global challenges, and the rising need for open yet sovereign research and innovation (R&I) ecosystems, as recognised by the global approach to R&I and the new European Framework for Science Diplomacy. However, while Europe boasts immense scientific strength and diplomatic expertise, its science diplomacy efforts remain fragmented across different countries and institutions.
Consolidating European Science Diplomacy (CUSP) is a Horizon Europe project designed to bridge these gaps and translate the new European Framework for Science Diplomacy into concrete action. By uniting scattered initiatives, CUSP ensures Europe’s scientific strength translates into unified, meaningful global influence.
The project’s mission rests on three core pillars:
● Mapping science diplomacy actors, strategies, and initiatives across Europe and beyond using an AI-assisted knowledge base.
● Establishing a centralised online European Science Diplomacy Hub, featuring ten thematic Working Groups and structured regional dialogues spanning Africa, Asia, the Arab States, Oceania, and the Americas.
● Co-creating a comprehensive Competence Framework, specialised curricula, and targeted training for diplomats, science counsellors, policymakers, and researchers.
Anchored in the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance, CUSP is coordinated by the Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI). It brings together a consortium of ten other partners: German Aerospace Center (DLR), Charles University, the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Aarhus University, the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM Bari), ENRICH Global, and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR).
