ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE FOR DEFENCE AND SECURITY STUDIES

Their core work

RUSI is the UK's leading independent think tank on international defence and security, founded in 1831. In H2020, they contributed policy research and analysis on security topics ranging from citizen-law enforcement collaboration on social media (TRILLION) to radicalisation governance and EU-Central Asia geopolitical relations. Their core value lies in bridging academic research with practical security and foreign policy advice for governments and international organisations.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

RUSI's earliest H2020 involvement (2015) focused on digital security and citizen-police collaboration through the TRILLION project. From 2018 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward geopolitics, religion, and radicalisation — with three projects examining political concepts, EU-Central Asia relations, and the governance of religious diversity. This represents a move from technology-enabled security toward deeper political and societal analysis of conflict drivers.

RUSI is moving toward policy-oriented research on radicalisation, religious governance, and EU foreign relations — making them a strong partner for future projects on societal resilience and countering extremism.

How they like to work

RUSI has never coordinated an H2020 project, consistently joining as participant or third-party expert — a pattern typical of think tanks that provide specialised policy analysis rather than managing large technical consortia. With 62 unique partners across 28 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia and are clearly comfortable in broad international networks. This makes them an accessible and well-connected partner to bring into new proposals.

Despite only 4 projects, RUSI has collaborated with 62 distinct partners across 28 countries, reflecting their participation in large international consortia. Their network spans well beyond Europe into Central Asia, indicating reach into non-EU policy communities.

What sets them apart

RUSI is one of the world's oldest and most respected independent defence and security think tanks, giving them unmatched credibility in policy circles. Unlike university research groups, they combine academic rigour with direct advisory relationships to governments and security institutions. For consortium builders, RUSI brings instant legitimacy, policy impact pathways, and deep networks in security and foreign affairs that few academic partners can match.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GREASE
  Largest RUSI grant (EUR 200,000) tackling radicalisation and religious governance across European and Asian perspectives — a 4-year comparative study.
• TRILLION
  RUSI's first H2020 project and largest single grant (EUR 266,510), bridging security research with social network technology for citizen-law enforcement collaboration.
• SEnECA
  Focused specifically on EU-Central Asia relations, demonstrating RUSI's geopolitical advisory reach beyond Europe.