The Bottom-up Initiative for Research Security brings together the University of Graz, Vilnius University, Maynooth University and Leipzig University to strengthen research security across the Arqus partnership through a practical, modular webinar series. The initiative creates a space to exchange best practices, discuss emerging challenges in a shifting geopolitical context and connect experts across universities—supporting researchers as well as legal, cybersecurity, international and research support teams. By pooling experience and lessons learned, the initiative aims to foster trust, improve institutional approaches and enable scalable, sustainable collaboration on research security.