STI-SDG alignment across countries: how research priorities relate to countries’ SDG challenges

• We developed new methods to analyse the alignment between countries’ research priorities and their SDG-related challenges. • We found that countries with higher challenges relating to SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG 3 (Good health) and SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) are prioritizing research in these areas. • For all other SDGs, we found a misalignment or inconclusive relationship between research priorities and SDG challenges. • For example, the countries with the most unsustainable consumption/production patterns, and which contribute most to biodiversity loss, are usually higher-income countries that do not specialize in research related to SDG12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG13 (Climate action) or SDG15 (Life on land).