May 5, 2025 (OTTAWA, ON) – The Global Research-Intensive Universities Network, representing leading research universities across Canada, Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Australia, today issued a joint declaration to call for intensified international research collaboration amid growing international turbulence and uncertainty.
With rising global tensions that are directly impacting the ability of research universities to help make a better future, the Global Research-Intensive Universities Network (GRIUN) met in Ottawa to specify how leading research universities must now leverage their international relationships to increase collaboration for collective societal benefit.
Hosted by U15 Canada in 2025, the annual GRIUN meetings also include the Association of American Universities, the German U15, the Group of Eight Australia, the League of European Research Universities, the Research University 11 of Japan, and the Russell Group in the UK.
The Ottawa Declaration emphasizes how research-intensive universities promote open, secure and collaborative international research partnerships that act for the public good, uphold academic freedom and institutional autonomy, promote the integrity, security and responsible conduct of research and ensure transparency across a turbulent international landscape.
“At a time of uncertainty and a turbulent international context, The Ottawa Declaration commits our respective associations to intensified engagement based on the defining characteristics of leading research universities. Now more than ever, we must increase our collective efforts to realize transformational advancements in science, research and innovation for a better 21st century for all societies,” said Dr. Chad Gaffield, CEO of U15 Canada.
The Ottawa Declaration is available online.
About the Global Research-Intensive Universities Network (GRIUN)
The Global Research-Intensive Universities Network brings together associations that collectively represents 158 of the leading research universities across Canada, Europe, the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Australia. These associations and their member universities share longstanding relationships that have delivered far-reaching societal benefits, and they are now increasing their collaboration to address the world’s greatest challenges in the turbulent 21st century.
For further information, please contact:
James Hammond, Director of Public Affairs
613-715-4764
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