Countries who are in the phase of building up their research capacities often begin by establishing projects with teams in scientifically advanced countries (both in the global North and South). Programmes such as the European Union’s Marie Curie grants have helped promote collaboration and mobility and created regional and international scientific networks of researchers. The STI policy review framework is being revised to strengthen the focuses on STI for the SDGs. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) carries out reviews of innovation policies in countries with economies in transition, for which the question of the absorption is particularly relevant.