Research Security in 2025: Balancing Openness and Protection

The OECD’s Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2025 makes one thing clear: research security is no longer a peripheral concern. It’s a global priority shaping the future of science and innovation.

Why Research Security Matters Now

Over the past decade, research security initiatives have surged tenfold, and the number of countries implementing such measures has grown from 12 to 41. This rapid expansion reflects a fundamental shift: science and technology are now viewed as strategic assets tied to national and economic security. Defence-related R&D budgets have risen by 75%, outpacing overall research spending.

Geopolitical competition, disruptive technologies, and economic resilience are blurring the boundaries between scientific collaboration and security imperatives. Governments are no longer treating knowledge protection and international cooperation as separate agendas. Instead, they are integrating both into a single strategic framework, often referred to as knowledge security or innovation security.

The Balancing Act: Openness vs Security

The OECD warns that safeguarding research must not come at the expense of excellence or global collaboration. Growth in international partnerships has already stalled. To address this, governments are adopting a mix of policies:

• Promotion measures that channel R&D funding towards national and economic security, including dual-use initiatives linking civil and defence research.

• Protection measures that restrict sharing sensitive research and strengthen security to safeguard trust.

• Projection measures that shape international STI relations through science diplomacy and selective collaboration.

While these policies aim to protect critical knowledge and foster strategic partnerships, overzealous application risks fragmenting global research networks, undermining innovation and cooperation on global challenges. Policies should be proportionate, precise, and co-developed with scientists, businesses, and public authorities.That pace is visible in the OECD's own Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) Compass database which now holds over 300 policy instruments from 250 policy initiatives.

What’s Next?

Research security is here to stay, but its implementation must be nuanced. The challenge is clear: how do we protect critical knowledge without fragmenting the global research ecosystem? The answer lies in risk-based, proportionate policies built on trust, transparency, and collaboration. Change will not happen overnight—it must be approached thoughtfully and sustainably, embedding security into research culture. This journey is reflected in the trusted research maturity curve outlined in the Complex Collaborations report.

As research leaders, policymakers, and institutions, we must engage in shaping these frameworks. Security and openness are not mutually exclusive. They can coexist if guided by shared values and evidence-based policy.