In 2025, a remarkable shift occurred in the global scientific community. Faced with shrinking budgets and growing complex challenges, researchers began doubling down on an ancient human superpower: collaboration.
A revealing mid-year survey found that finding external partners had jumped from the third-highest priority to the top spot for scientists worldwide 1 . The driving force behind this shift is both practical and profound—more than half of scientists seeking new partnerships say their primary goal is securing funding sources, but the results are transforming how science itself is conducted 1 .
of academic researchers cite funding as primary motivation for collaboration 1
median budget decrease expected by academic scientists in 2025 1
This isn't merely about sharing resources—it's about combining perspectives to accelerate discovery. From authenticating Renaissance artworks with particle physics to developing COVID-19 vaccines at record speed, collaborative science is answering questions that once seemed impossible to tackle.
"Scientific thought and its creation are the common and shared heritage of mankind" 9 .
At its heart, scientific collaboration operates through what experts call "science diplomacy"—using scientific cooperation to establish links and strengthen relations between societies, especially where there may not be another official approach 9 . Science becomes a common language that transcends political, cultural, and geographical boundaries.
Collaboration creates what scientists call a "wellspring of ideas"—a diverse pool of perspectives, expertise, and approaches that can lead to breakthroughs. When researchers from different backgrounds converge on a problem, they bring unique methodologies and frameworks that can reveal solutions that might remain invisible to a more homogenous group 9 .
Established in 1954 under the auspices of UNESCO, CERN began as a diplomatic answer to seek the peaceful benefits of atomic energy after the destruction of World War II 9 .
This laboratory brings together scientists from eight member countries—including Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine, and Turkey—who might otherwise rarely interact 9 .
According to the Linus State of Science survey, academic scientists expect their budgets to decrease by a median of 20% this year, double the 9% decline anticipated by their counterparts in biopharma and pharmaceutical companies 1 .
Financial constraints are causing researchers to adapt their strategies in opposite ways depending on their institutional setting. Interestingly, 48% of academic researchers plan to bring routine assays and analyses in-house to reduce costs. Meanwhile, 54% of biopharma scientists plan to outsource the same types of work 1 .
| Strategy | Academic Scientists | Industry Scientists |
|---|---|---|
| Seeking new funding sources | 64% | 34% |
| Bringing work in-house | 48% | N/A |
| Outsourcing work | N/A | 54% |
| Decreasing lab product purchases | ~40% | ~40% |
| Delaying technology purchases | 37% | 37% |
Network of scientist-writers providing ongoing support
Essays, creative nonfiction, and op-eds for non-expert audiences
Collection of scholar narratives and experiences
In 2025, a group of Cottrell Scholars received a collaborative award to address a critical gap in scientific communication: the need for human-centered storytelling to build public trust and appreciation of science 6 .
To maintain momentum and develop skills 6
To build community and focus intensively on writing 6
With professional publishing consultants 6
Showcasing the voices and experiences of Cottrell Scholars 6
Early outcomes demonstrate that collaborative writing not only produces more engaging science communication but also strengthens the sense of community among researchers. By sharing their personal stories, challenges, and breakthroughs, scientists become more relatable to the public and to each other.
Modern scientific collaboration relies on both technological tools and conceptual frameworks that enable researchers to work together effectively across disciplines and distances.
Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom
Enable real-time discussion and virtual meetings across institutionsTrello, Asana, Basecamp
Coordinate tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities across teamsOpen Science Framework, Zenodo
Facilitate transparent sharing of datasets and research materialsGoogle Docs, Overleaf
Allow multiple authors to edit documents simultaneouslyBioinformatics pipelines, modeling software
Enable joint data analysis and computational workShared protocols, credit attribution
Establish ethical guidelines for collaborative researchMajor collaborative projects connecting researchers worldwide
The shift toward collaborative science represents more than a temporary trend—it's a fundamental transformation in how we generate knowledge.
From the budget-driven partnerships emerging in 2025 to the peace-building laboratories bridging political divides, collaboration is proving essential for tackling increasingly complex scientific challenges.
The UNESCO global recommendation for open science aims to make knowledge "no longer the privilege of a minority, but a common good accessible in a more equitable way" 9 .
The challenges ahead—from climate change to global health crises—will require increasingly sophisticated collaboration across borders, disciplines, and cultures.
Scientists are not just rising to this challenge but pioneering new ways of working together that might light the way for us all.
Reference list to be added here with proper citations.