How research environments and practices foster excellence

This project explores how research environments shape the conditions for achieving research excellence, drawing on insights from more than 100 researchers, leaders, funders and research‑support professionals across Brazil, China, Germany and India. The project outputs include a full report based on the interviews. Despite differing national contexts, participants shared a consistent message: excellence is enabled—not accidental. Thriving research ecosystems depend on excellent people supported by strong leadership, clear strategy, healthy research cultures and the ability to collaborate across boundaries. Interviewees highlighted common challenges, including short‑term funding cycles, heavy administrative burdens, siloed structures and pressures that limit time for deep, ambitious inquiry. They also offered practical solutions, emphasizing transparent leadership, cultures based on trust and autonomy, professionalized research support, and intentional design for interdisciplinary and cross‑sector collaboration. The report presents community‑driven recommendations for institutions seeking to nurture talent, reduce friction, and build resilient, future‑ready research environments. Ultimately, it shows that investing in people, culture and long‑term capability is essential for enabling the high‑quality, impactful research needed to drive global progress.

An exploration of what aspects of the research community's environment create the best research and enable a thriving community.

Thriving research ecosystems depend on excellent people supported by strong leadership, clear strategy, healthy research cultures and the ability to collaborate across boundaries. Interviewees highlighted common challenges, including short‑term funding cycles, heavy administrative burdens, siloed structures and pressures that limit time for deep, ambitious inquiry.