A. Decline in international research collaborations

Sun, 03 May 2026 09:27:20 +0000

**A. Decline in international research collaborations: What’s happening—and why it matters** In recent years, a growing number of academic, industrial, and policy observers have noted a quiet but significant shift: international research collaborations—long seen as a cornerstone of scientific progress—are experiencing a measurable decline. This quiet trend, marked by fewer joint publications, reduced cross-border funding, and tighter collaboration networks, reflects broader changes in global research ecosystems, economic priorities, and digital communication patterns. For U.S.-based researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, understanding this shift is key to staying competitive and informed in a disruptive landscape. The primary drivers behind the decline are rooted in evolving international dynamics. Geopolitical tensions, heightened data sovereignty concerns, and increasing regulatory fragmentation have made collaborative research more complex and slower. Countries are increasingly cautious about sharing sensitive data across borders, prompting stricter compliance requirements that complicate multi-national projects. At the same time, rising domestic investment in strategic research areas—especially in technology, health, and climate—has shifted focus toward national priorities, sometimes at the expense of global partnerships. Beyond policy and politics, structural shifts in research culture also play a role. The global academic marketplace has become more competitive, with institutions under pressure to demonstrate measurable impact within shorter timelines. This has led some to prioritize local or national partnerships over international ones, even when the latter offer unique resources and expertise. Additionally, challenges in coordinating across time zones, languages, and institutional practices continue to increase operational friction, discouraging broad collaboration.