The article argues that national interests are an expression of national identity in the process of identifying a nation-state in the system of international relations. Hence, national interests determine a wide range of international interaction both on the basis of coherence and consolidation, and confrontation due to contradictions in the regional and world system of interethnic interests. The aim of the work is to determine the architecture of international scientific and technical cooperation in the aspect of harmonization of the national interests of states at the present stage of development of the world economy. The methods used in the research process made it possible to systematize the forms of international scientific and technical cooperation in order to form comprehensive programs of innovative development in the coordinates of national interests. It is proved that the current stage of development of international relations is characterized by an acute phase of strategic geopolitical rivalry for the formation of the future world order. This causes an aggravation of contradictions between the national interests of the largest countries, which determines the global agenda. It is substantiated that one of the most rational and effective directions for harmonizing the national interests of individual countries is the organization of a system of international scientific and technical cooperation. The author systematizes the various forms in which the ISTC takes place within the framework of two formats: the formation of scientific and technical networks and the formation of integrated programs of the ISTC. In the structure of the latter, we have identified four blocks: the institutionalization of the ISTC, the development of scientific diplomacy, the development of research infrastructure and the formation of design scientific and technical work through the projection of business interests on partners. It is also noted that the key organizational element that unites both formats are scientific and technological platforms that mobilize and focus various “networks” of research communities to solve specific problems, as a result of which the resulting developments are commercialized within the business interests of the participants in the innovation process.