ISC survey explores Members’ science diplomacy priorities and capacities | deadline: 9 June

Introduction to the survey

The International Science Council (ISC) is conducting this survey to better understand the engagement, capacities, and needs of its Members in relation to science diplomacy. This initiative is part of the ISC’s ongoing commitment to support its global membership in navigating the evolving landscape at the intersection of science and international relations. Science diplomacy is one of the ISC priority areas identified in the ISC Strategic Framework 2025–2028 and its Implementation Plan, with multilateral, regional, and country-level areas of action designed to strengthen the role of science in fostering international collaboration, addressing global challenges, and advancing peace.

This survey offers ISC Members not only the opportunity to provide insights into their current activities, but also to share ideas, experiences, and case studies that can enrich our collective understanding and practice—and pave the way for future collaboration in the field of science diplomacy. As the ISC Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan are being finalized by the ISC Governing Board, this survey will also inform related actions by the ISC in the area of science diplomacy in the years to come.

Purpose of the 2025 survey

This global survey seeks to collect organizational-level data on science diplomacy engagement, resources, needs, and practices across ISC Member institutions. The information gathered will help map current activities, identify areas for support, and inform future collaborations within the ISC community.

The 2025 edition of the survey seeks to:

• Assess the current level of engagement of ISC Members in science diplomacy
• Identify existing resources, expertise, and capacities within the ISC community
• Understand key challenges and unmet needs related to science diplomacy
• Promote collaboration and exchange among ISC Members
• Inform and guide the ISC’s strategic role in supporting Members’ efforts in science diplomacy
• Deepen engagement with Members around upcoming ISC activities in this field.

Who should complete the survey

The survey aims to better understand the ISC Members organizations’ roles, interests and needs in science diplomacy. The survey should therefore be filled by a representative of the ISC Member organization that can share the views of that organization.

Please click here to fill the survey form

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Section 1. About the ISC Member

1. Member (name of the organization): *

2. Member representative

First Name *

Last Name *

Title *

Email *

3. What type of organization is your institution? (Select one) *

• National science academies, ministries, national commissions, universities, research councils
• Regional organizations
• International unions and associations
• Young scientific groups (young academies, associations of early and mid-career researchers)
• Other international organizations (federations, societies, ISC affiliated bodies)

4. What is the mission of your organization? *

5. How is your organization primarily funded? (Select one) *

• Public funding (e.g., government budget, public grants)
• Private funding (e.g., donations, grants from private foundations or companies)
• Mixed funding (a combination of public and private sources)
• Other (please specify):

Please specify other source of funding *

6. What is the geographic remit of your organization’s activities? (Select all that apply) *

• Local (within a specific city or region)
• National (within one country)
• Regional (across a specific geographic region or multiple countries within a region)
• Global (international or across multiple continents)
• Other (please specify):

Please specify other geographic remit of your organization's activities if any *

7. From your perspective, how has the landscape in science changed over the last 10 years and how may this have impacted your organization? *

8. From your perspective, how has the geopolitical landscape changed over the last 10 years and how may this have impacted your organization? *

Section 2. Conducting science diplomacy activities

9. Has your organization contributed advice, expertise or guidance to governments or policy-makers regarding their international cooperation and diplomacy efforts? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

a. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done, including a web link if available?

10. Has your organization advised scientists on how geopolitical factors relate to their research or professional activities? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

b. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done?

11. Has your organization advocated for evidence-based policies at the international level? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

c. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done, including a web link if available?

12. Has your organization participated in international scientific collaborations with diplomatic implications or effects (science for diplomacy)? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

d. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done, including a web link if available?

13. Has your organization engaged in cross-border scientific initiatives that required diplomatic involvement or coordination (diplomacy for science)? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

e. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done, including a web link if available?

14. Has your organization engaged with scientific diasporas? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

f. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done, including a web link if available?

15. Has your organization taken part in international science policy dialogues or forums? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

g. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done, including a web link if available?

16. Has your organization promoted public understanding or awareness of science diplomacy? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

h. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done, including a web link if available?

17. Has your organization contributed to capacity-building efforts in science diplomacy (e.g. training, mentoring, or resource development)? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

i. If yes, could you please provide a few examples of when and how this was done, including a web link if available?

18. Please let us know of any other science diplomacy activity that you have contributed to, including a web link if available

19. Is science diplomacy a strategic priority for your organization? (please select one) *

• Yes
• No

20. Does your organization partner on science diplomacy activities with any of the following? (Select all that apply) *

• Government ministries or agencies
• Embassies or foreign affairs departments
• International organizations (e.g., UN bodies)
• NGOs or civil society organizations
• Other scientific organizations
• Private sector or industry
• Other (please specify):
• We do not currently partner with others on science diplomacy

Other *

21. Do you know of other organizations that are active in science diplomacy in your region or field that the ISC should be aware of? *

• Yes
• No

j. If yes, please list the organization/s

22. Does your organization have a dedicated unit, officer, team or working group that is responsible for science diplomacy? (Select one) *

• Yes
• No
• Other arrangements (please specify):

Link/name of the working group or contact details of the focal point *

Please specify other arrangements if any *

23. What types of resources does your organization allocate to science diplomacy activities? (Select all that apply) *

• Staff or personnel whose role involve science diplomacy or related activities
• Budget or financial resources
• External consultants or advisors
• Access to government agencies or international policy networks
• Training programs or workshops in science diplomacy
• None
• Other (please specify):

Please provide a link or more info on the training programs or workshops in science diplomacy *

Please specify other resources if any *

24. How would you rate your organization’s internal capacity to engage in science diplomacy? (Select one) *

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

(Scale: 1 = Very limited, 5 = Very strong)

Section 3: Needs and interests

25. What are the main challenges your organization faces in engaging with science diplomacy? (Please select all that apply) *

• Lack of funding
• Limited staff
• Limited expertise
• Insufficient access to diplomats and policymakers
• Lack of institutional strategy or mandate in science diplomacy
• Other (please specify):

Please specify other challenges if any *

apply) details organization

26. What types of support or resources would help strengthen your organization’s role in science diplomacy? (Select all that apply) *

• Training or capacity-building workshops
• Better access and networking opportunities with diplomatic and policy actors
• Case studies or guidance materials
• Funding or resource mobilization support
• Strategic partnerships
• Policy brief templates or communication tools
• Other (please specify):

Please specify other types of support or resources *

27. What could the ISC do to help your organization engage in science diplomacy? *

28. How could your organization help the ISC engage in science diplomacy? *

29. How should the ISC engage in science diplomacy? (Select all that apply) *

• Horizon-scanning of Science & Technology and geopolitical changes that affect science diplomacy
• Building states’ capacity in their ‘science in diplomacy’ interfaces
• Fostering informal, non-governmental diplomatic dialogue (Track 2 diplomacy)
• Managing scientific programs and deliver impactful initiatives
• Support the mapping and strengthening of science advice interfaces in regional and international institutions
• Raise awareness amongst the ISC Membership of the potential of engaging with scientific diasporas
• Any other suggestion

Other suggestions *

30. Would your organization be interested in contributing to or co-developing a shared science diplomacy resource platform or toolkit for ISC Members? (Select one) *

• Yes
• No

Data protection: Please see below the link to the ISC privacy policy data protection. Respondents should be aware that the ISC will hold the information submitted for the duration of the survey. *

• The respondent agrees with the data collection.

Click here to access the ISC Privacy Policy

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Disclaimer on data use

The information collected through this survey will be analyzed by the ISC Secretariat and the Science Diplomacy Advisory Group to inform the ISC science diplomacy report, as well as supporting internal planning and upcoming activities. Any examples, quotes, or specific data provided will only be published with prior permission from the contributing Member organization. The ISC Secretariat will contact respondents directly to seek consent before any content is publicly shared or featured in ISC outputs.

About the ISC science diplomacy workstream

This survey forms part of the ISC’s broader science diplomacy workstream, which builds on the ISC’s and its predecessor organizations’ longstanding history in science diplomacy and a series of recent high-level activities, including:

• September 2024: Building Bridges through Science Diplomacy: Accelerating Progress toward Sustainable Development – organized by the ISC during the UN Summit of the Future.
• January 2025: The Changing Context for Science Diplomacy – hosted during the ISC’s Third General Assembly.
• March 2025: ISC contribution to the Global Ministerial Dialogue on Science Diplomacy led by UNESCO.
• September 2025 (TBC): An ISC report on science diplomacy, informed by global consultations and inputs from ISC Members.

Working definition of science diplomacy

Science diplomacy refers to the diverse set of practices, actors, and institutions at the intersection of science and international relations, where scientific knowledge, collaboration, and networks contribute to diplomatic goals—or vice versa. While the term gained visibility following the 2010 Royal Society–AAAS report, the intertwining of science and diplomacy dates back centuries. The original science diplomacy taxonomy encompasses a) informing foreign policy with scientific advice, b) facilitating international scientific cooperation to address global challenges and c) using science to improve international relations.

If needed for internal consultations within your organization, the survey is available for download as a WORD file here. Please note that only responses submitted via the online form will be considered.

Contact

For any inquiries regarding this survey please contact Gabriela Ivan at [email protected].

Gabriela Ivan

Gabriela Ivan

Communications Officer, Partnerships and Membership Development

International Science Council

Gabriela Ivan

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