The Mercator Dialogue on Migration and Asylum (MEDAM) is a research and consultation project that identifies and closes the gaps in existing research and develops research-based solutions for asylum and immigration policies, addressing the most pressing concerns of policy makers from an independent European perspective. In its second phase from 2020-2022, MEDAM research and analysis focus on the cooperation of the EU and its member states with countries of origin and transit, as well as the attitudes of citizens with regard to the dilemmas and compromises that need to be addressed in the context of European asylum and migration policy. MEDAM is active at the interface between academic research and policymaking. Besides research, regular dialogue with decision makers at the national and European levels is a central element of the project work. As well as publishing written analyses and articles in scientific journals, the project findings contribute to the political debate through events involving experts from politics, business, academia and civil society. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) and the Migration Policy Centre (MPC) at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence have been research partners in MEDAM since the project started. In addition, the European Policy Centre (EPC) joined MEDAM at the beginning of 2020. The EPC will lead the monitoring and analysis of developments in migration-related policies in the EU, along with complementary policies in key member states.