The emergence of science diplomacy as an active area of study and policy consideration has increased its use and users. Concepts such as the role of large-scale infrastructures in science diplomacy and the mechanisms for scientific cooperation needed in undertaking science diplomacy have become recognized as important to bridging the scientific and foreign policy communities. At the same time, different scientific disciplines have unique contributions and needs as their international efforts become more intertwined with those of the foreign policy and diplomatic communities. The AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy will host a one-day conference that will build not only on the policy issues that have been discussed in previous conferences and workshops but critically address the scientific drivers for diplomacy. Sessions, organized by experts, will focus on the following themes: institutions and networks; scientific cooperation during political strain; cross-cutting areas of transboundary issues and shared scientific resources; and diplomacy needs and impact of the earth and environmental sciences, health and biomedical sciences, and physical sciences.