The collaboration proof · 2026 edition
The Research Collaboration Index measures how central each university is in the global research-collaboration network, from the open scholarly record. Reputation is what people say. Collaboration is what institutions do, and now it is measured, for 1,195 leading universities across 81 countries.
$6.1T research funding · 35M publications · 1,195 universities · 81 countries, analysed.
The evidence base analysed
Built on the open global scholarly record (CC0), with verified funding from the European Commission (CORDIS), the Crossref Funder Registry and national research funders.
Platinum partners
Eight of the world’s most connected research universities, across every region, are launching the Research Collaboration Index as Platinum partners.
“Global research is a team endeavour, and the Index reflects the partnerships that define how Monash works with the world.”
— Monash University
“Collaboration is how the University of Toronto turns research into impact, and we are proud to see it recognised on a rigorous global measure.”
— University of Toronto
“The Index measures something we value deeply at UBC: the strength and reach of the partnerships behind our research.”
— University of British Columbia
“At the University of Helsinki the best science is built with others, and we welcome an index that makes that collaboration visible.”
— University of Helsinki
“Université Paris Cité is defined by its openness to the world's research community, and the Index gives that openness a shared language.”
— Université Paris Cité
“Peking University's contribution to global knowledge grows through international collaboration, and we support a measure of research as it is truly done, together.”
— Peking University
“Shenzhen University's rapid rise has been built on partnership, and the Index recognises the collaborative foundation of modern research.”
— Shenzhen University
“King Saud University is committed to connecting Saudi research with the world, and we are proud to help launch a measure that values collaboration itself.”
— King Saud University
The gap in the market
Reputation surveys capture opinion; citation metrics capture influence. The Research Collaboration Index makes central something no global ranking places at its core: the objective, verifiable structure of who a university collaborates with, how widely, and how centrally, in the global research network.
Every leading research university, scored by the identical method, from the open worldwide scholarly record. Not a European view of the world, the whole world.
Built entirely on open data (CC0). No surveys, no opinion, no licensed data in the score. Anyone can audit it.
Six scored pillars, not one ratio: network influence, partner reach, partner-country diversity, citation impact, sustained partnership and international intensity, with a brokerage diagnostic alongside.
The complete global ranking, every university, every region and every subject, goes live on 15 September 2026, with a coordinated global media launch. Until then, each university's own collaboration profile is available to explore.