Abstract Purpose This study explores how EU integration, globalisation, and geopolitical disruptions have influenced scientific collaboration among European countries at different stages of EU membership. Specifically, it distinguishes between the EU-14 (long-standing Western and Southern European member states prior to the 2004 enlargement), the EU-13 (the Central and Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 or later), and EU candidate countries, reflecting differing historical trajectories, institutional capacities, and levels of integration into European and global research networks. Design/methodology Using articles from the Scopus database, the study analyses Relative Intensity of Collaboration (RIC) among three distinct groups of countries: EU-14, EU-13, and EU candidate countries, as well as with China, Latin America, the UK, the USA and Russia. Findings Findings indicate increasing integration within European groups and with global partners, yet persistent hierarchical structures remain. EU-14 countries form the core of the network, exhibiting stable and cohesive collaboration, including with the UK despite Brexit. EU-13 countries occupy an intermediate position, showing moderate collaboration with EU-14 but stronger collaboration within their own group, with EU candidate countries and Russia. EU candidate countries demonstrate even weaker integration with EU-14, focusing on intra-group ties and links with EU-13 and Russia. RIC peaks in 2012 and 2018 for EU-13 and EU candidate countries correspond to Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe cycles, highlighting the role of EU Framework Programmes. Collaboration with Russia increased following 2014 and only marginally declined after 2022. For EU-14, it exceeds collaboration with the USA. Collaboration with China remains limited due to network and cultural constraints, with similar intensity across all three groups. Overall, funding and policy initiatives are critical for stable international collaboration. Research limitations The analysis is limited by the Scopus database coverage. Policy implications Findings suggest that to strengthen the EU’s scientific position, policymakers should prioritise targeted funding and strategic initiatives that bridge collaboration gaps between EU-13, EU-14, EU candidate countries, and global partners. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive, longitudinal analysis of European scientific collaboration, highlighting hierarchical structures, the differential roles of EU-14, EU-13, and candidate countries, and the resilience of networks with global partners such as the UK and Russia, while linking collaboration dynamics to EU Framework Programmes.
Myroslava Hladchenko (Mon,) studied this question.