EU Unveils New Framework for Science Diplomacy

This strategic framework is the result of a multi-year process to address previously uncoordinated science diplomacy efforts across Europe. The term first appeared in a 2012 Commission communication, leading to several Horizon 2020 research projects that formed the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance, which helped shape the new agenda. An expert report, "A European Framework for Science Diplomacy," was published in February 2025 following a co-creation process with 130 scientists and diplomats. The framework aims to use scientific cooperation as a "soft power" to improve relations with key countries and address geopolitical challenges. It organizes guidance into three instrument families—strategic, operational, and enabling—and provides a shared vocabulary for aligning scientific excellence with foreign policy goals. The goal is to move from ad hoc international projects to a governed, institutional function for science in EU external relations. The DiCED (Digital Campaigning and Electoral Democracy) project, led by Professor Rachel Gibson at The University of Manchester, is a key example of this framework in action. This five-year, cross-national project, funded by an ERC Advanced Grant, investigates the impact of data-driven political campaigns on voters and party organizations in the US, UK, France, Germany, and Poland. DiCED's research directly informs the framework's goal of using scientific evidence to make European diplomacy more strategic and resilient. This initiative aligns with broader EU digital transformation efforts in the public sector, often termed "GovTech." A study analyzing GovTech ecosystems in Portugal, France, Germany, and the Netherlands highlighted the need to modernize procurement and invest in civil servant skills to bridge the gap between agile tech startups and government bureaucracy. These case studies provide models for designing the complex, multi-stakeholder digital platforms needed to support international scientific collaboration under the new framework. The framework's implementation will be shaped by key European tech regulations, including the AI Act and the European Accessibility Act. The AI Act establishes a legal framework for the use of artificial intelligence, categorizing AI systems by risk to ensure they are safe and transparent, which will govern AI's use in public services related to the framework. Simultaneously, the European Accessibility Act, which took full effect in June 2025, mandates that public sector websites, apps, and digital services meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards. This ensures that any digital platforms or tools developed under the new science diplomacy framework are accessible to people with disabilities, a crucial requirement for public services that must serve all citizens.