"France Aims to Attract Foreign Scientists: Pursuit of Science in the Face of Reduced Research Financing"
In a bold move to bolster Europe's scientific sector, French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen are extending an olive (or perhaps a foot tap) branch to American scientists, whose research may be under threat with Donald Trump's return to the White House. On May 5, they'll participate in the "Choose Europe for Science" conference in Paris, aiming to lure these scientists to the old continent.
The pair will attend the conference at the Sorbonne, with the Elysee emphasizing that Europe is a continent of choice, especially amidst academic freedoms facing obstacles or threats. Macron had previously extended an invitation to researchers worldwide to choose France and Europe.
Macron proudly touts France as a nation that prioritizes research, innovation as culture, and science as an endless horizon. To ready for the arrival of international researchers, the French government unveiled a platform called "Choose France for Science."
Winning over these American brains isn't a walk in the park, though. Salaries and research funds are still far behind the U.S., and the leaders are calling for savings to bring public finances back in the black. But it's not all grim. Researchers' salaries will be aligned with French levels, and with free education for families, the healthcare system proves more advantageous than in the U.S.
Since Trump's White House return, researchers and universities have found themselves in the crosshairs of the American government, with concerns mounting over their future due to academic freedoms being undermined and funding cuts. As a result, more and more researchers are considering moving abroad, with Europe becoming a potentially attractive alternative.
Across France, research actors have been proactive, with universities preparing to accommodate these researchers. In Toulouse, the university is even recruiting 15 researchers. The Marseille University received 298 applications in mid-April, this number falling under analysis, with fields ranging from humanities to mathematics and computer science.
The ARC Foundation against cancer has also stepped up, offering 3.5 million euros to welcome researchers whose work is under threat in the U.S. The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) also launched a program to attract foreign scientists, targeting researchers of all levels, including globally renowned "stars."
France, however, faces budgetary cuts, which have accumulated over the past 20 years, threatening its research sector. A collective named Stand-Up for Science France has raised concerns, stating that inflation has reduced the last budget for higher education and research by 1.5 billion euros, with 1.6 billion euros of credits cancelled for 2024 and 2025.
The question remains - how to attract this top-notch talent while maintaining a balanced budget? The government asserts that it's about additional money, not replacement or allocation from others. To ease potential financial burdens, the European Research Council (ERC) has doubled its grants to 2 million euros per researcher, and state funding and grants have also been offered in various fields like health, climate, and AI.
Strategies like direct recruitment, emphasizing academic freedom, showcasing a rich research culture, streamlined immigration processes, and efficient resource allocation can help create an appealing environment for American scientists. By focusing on these advantages, France and the EU can successfully compete with the U.S. research sector.
- Macron and von der Leyen are aiming to welcome American scientists to Europe, particularly those whose research may be at risk under Donald Trump's administration.
- At the "Choose Europe for Science" conference in Paris, Macron will emphasize France's commitment to science, physics, and research culture.
- To attract international researchers, the French government has established a platform called "Choose France for Science," and it has announced that researchers' salaries will be aligned with French levels, making the healthcare system more advantageous.
- Despite budgetary constraints, France is seeking to balance its budget while attracting top talens in science, education-and-self-development, health-and-wellness, and other fields, by offering additional funding from the European Research Council and state grants.
