Young Academies Survey: Opportunities and challenges

Purpose: This survey aims to understand the current state, strengths, challenges, and support needs of (National) Young Academies worldwide in order to strengthen their sustainability, growth, and collective impact.

Target Respondents: Leadership or active members of Young Academies (e.g., Executive Committee, Secretariat, or designated representatives). Please submit one consolidated response per Young Academy.

Estimated completion time: ~20 minutes

Section 1: Respondent & Academy Information

Name of your Young Academy(Required)

This is for internal purposes only; no information you provide in the following will be shared with third parties or made public without your active consent.

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Role within the Young Academy(Required)

e.g., President, Co-Chair, Executive Member, staff member

Region(Required)

Which world region does your Young Academy belong to?

Africa

Asia

Europe

Latin America & the Caribbean

North America

Middle East & North Africa (MENA)

Oceania

Other (please specify)

Other region:

National Income Group(Required)

Using the World Bank classification https://data360.worldbank.org/en/economies#by-incomegroup , your country is:

Low-income

Lower-middle-income

Upper-middle-income

High-income

Not sure

Section 2: Organizational Profile

Is there an alumni network associated with your Young Academy?(Required)

Yes

Please briefly indicate the main reason(s) for not engaging alumni.

Please describe the type and frequency of your academy’s regular meetings or events.(Required)

e.g., annual general meeting, quarterly leadership meetings

What are your Young Academy’s current funding sources?(Required)

Select all that apply.

National government

University / Research institution

Funds from the Parent Academy

Membership fees

Grants / Donations

Private sector

International partners

None

Other

Other funding sources

Please specify.

Section 3: Strategy, Governance & Partnerships

Does your Young Academy have a strategic plan or similar guiding document?(Required)

Yes

Please provide a link (if available) and indicate how often it is updated.

Please briefly explain reasons for not having such a document.

How would you describe your Young Academy’s level of engagement with the following stakeholders: Parent / Senior Academy(Required)

None

Limited

Moderate

Strong

How would you describe your Young Academy’s level of engagement with the following stakeholders: Global Young Academy (GYA)(Required)

None

Limited

Moderate

Strong

How would you describe your Young Academy’s level of engagement with the following stakeholders: Other National Young Academies(Required)

None

Limited

Moderate

Strong

Optional: Does your Young Academy have more stakeholders?

If so, list them with the level of engagement labeled none, limited, moderate or strong.

Optional: Please provide examples of significant partnerships or collaborations with these stakeholders.

Has your Young Academy joined any established academy networks (e.g., IAP, ISC, NASAC, ALLEA), or are you planning to apply? If no, can you briefly explain why your Young Academy is not currently interested in membership in these organisations.(Required)

Does your Young Academy have a strategy or formal approach to international engagement (e.g., as part of your Strategic Plan, or in a separate document)?(Required)

Yes

If no, please briefly provide reasons.

Section 4: Activities & Outputs (past 12 months)

Has your Young Academy organized or co-organized any events or meetings in the past 12 months?(Required)

Yes

Yes: Approximately how many? Please list 1–5 examples.(Required)

No: Please indicate the main reasons.(Required)

Has your Young Academy led or participated in collaborative projects with other organizations in the past 12 months?(Required)

Yes

Yes: Approximately how many? Please provide 1–5 examples.(Required)

No: Please indicate main reasons.(Required)

What are your Young Academy’s key activity areas?(Required)

Select all that apply.

Science policy engagement / science advice

Policy for science / research environment for early- and mid-career researchers

Public outreach / science communication / science education

Mentorship programmes and capacity building

Support for at-risk or displaced scholars

Research collaborations

Science diplomacy

Other (please specify)

Other key activity areas of your Young Academy

Section 5: Impact & Performance

What are your Young Academy’s top strengths or achievements?(Required)

Select all that apply.

Strong leadership and governance

High member engagement

Professional office / paid staff support

Successful policy influence

High visibility in the national science ecosystem

Strong national partnerships

Strong international partnerships

Strong partnership with the parent academy

Effective fundraising / secure funding

Impactful public outreach

Other (please specify)

Other:

Please rate your Young Academy’s contribution to the national or regional scientific community.(Required)

1 (Very low)

2 (Low)

3 (Medium)

4 (High)

5 (Very high)

Rate your Young Academy’s current success in achieving its mission or strategic goals.(Required)

1 (Not successful)

2 (Somewhat successful)

3 (Neutral)

4 (Somewhat successful)

5 (Highly successful)

Please briefly explain your self-assessment.(Required)

Optional: Share success stories, best practices, or innovations that could inspire other Young Academies.

Section 6: Challenges and Barriers

Please rate the following statements using the numerical scale provided each time. (1 = Strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree)

Limited funding is a major barrier.(Required)

Low levels of member engagement are a challenge.(Required)

Frequent Leadership turnover disrupts continuity.(Required)

Lack of institutional/paid-staff support affects operations.(Required)

Limited or missing support from the parent academy constrains progress and what the YA can achieve.(Required)

Non-existent/limited independence of the YA negatively affects operations and activities.(Required)

Limited visibility within the national science ecosystem is a challenge.(Required)

Administrative burden limits activity.(Required)

Limited international connectivity hinders collaborations.(Required)

Geopolitical challenges (e.g., visa issues, war and conflicts) hinder activities and participation.(Required)

What are the top three challenges your Young Academy currently faces? (these can be similar to the ones listed above; or completely different challenges that are particularly relevant to your Young Academy)(Required)

Section 7: Future Priorities & Opportunities

What are your Young Academy’s main priorities for the next three years?(Required)

Select between 1 and 3 choices.

Increase levels of membership engagement

Enhance public engagement

Expand influence in national science policy

Build regional/international partnerships

Secure sustainable funding

Strengthen governance and operations

Digital transformation (e.g., platforms, tools)

Other (please specify)

Other main priorities:

What opportunities do you foresee for your Young Academy over the next three years?(Required)

Select all that apply.

Government support or funding opportunities in your country

Collaboration with your parent academy

National or global collaboration platforms

Increased public visibility and media engagement

Partnerships with universities, research institutions, and academies

International collaboration (e.g., via networks such as IAP, ISC, or Yas such as GYA)

Other (please specify)

Other opportunities:

Section 8: Support Needs

What kind of support would your Young Academy need to fulfil its mission and future plans?(Required)

Select all that apply.

Increased funding

Political support, e.g., from national government

In-kind support from the parent academy

Capacity-building (leadership, governance, fundraising, project management)

Mentorship from established academies

Mentorship from other Young Academies

Networking and partnership opportunities

Communications, branding, and visibility support

Training in science advice and/or science diplomacy

Administrative or secretariat support

Support for international collaboration

Other (please specify)

Other support:

What kind of support do you think could Young Academies provide to each other to enable all Young Academies to thrive?(Required)

What could established science academy networks (e.g., IAP, ISC, NASAC, ALLEA) do to better support Young Academies?(Required)

Section 9: Overall Self-Assessment

Which statement best describes the current situation of your Young Academy?(Required)

Choose one.

Very active and operating effectively in line with its mission

Active but facing challenges that limit full potential

Moderately active but unable to fully achieve its mission

Minimally active, maintaining only core operations

Currently inactive

Please explain your selection and the primary factors influencing your Young Academy’s current level of activity.(Required)

Global Young Academy (Applications)

Young Academies Survey: Opportunities and challenges

Section 1: Respondent & Academy Information

Section 2: Organizational Profile

Section 3: Strategy, Governance & Partnerships

Section 4: Activities & Outputs (past 12 months)

Section 5: Impact & Performance

Section 6: Challenges and Barriers

Section 7: Future Priorities & Opportunities

Section 8: Support Needs

Section 9: Overall Self-Assessment

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