Researchers and decision-makers from low-income countries should help to define the research priorities of universities in high-income countries (see Nature 514, 287; 2014). A strong guild of academics will aid the development of local solutions in poor countries that have little resilience to climate change, biodiversity loss or global health issues (see, for instance, C. Lachat et al. PLoS Med. 11, e1001593; 2014).

It is all too common for Western scientists to engage in research in the developing world that fails to benefit their locally based peers (see K. Chu et al. PLoS Med. 11, e1001612; 2014). This inequity could be rectified by introducing and enforcing strict ethical standards for funding and research. More-equitable metrics for research evaluation should also be developed (see, for example, E. Smith et al. BMC Med. Ethics 15, 42; 2014).