At a conference at Sorbonne University in Paris on Monday, May 5th, President Emmanuel Macron of France and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced incentives for researchers seeking to relocate to Europe. At the “Choose Europe for Science” conference which brought together top European officials and academics, von der Leyen said the EC would invest $566 million over the next two years to “make Europe a magnet for researchers.”
For many decades, the United States’ investment in and infrastructure for scientific research have drawn talent from around the world. But since the start of President Trump’s second term, substantial federal spending cuts at the world’s largest funder of biomedical research, the National Institutes of Health, threaten to undermine the premier standing of American research in a number of areas. Also, the Trump administration has targeted American higher education institutions over political and other stances, pulling grants and funding while seeking to assert more control over university policies on a number of issues.
Ostensibly, the cuts in the U.S. are targeted at projects related to diversity, equity and inclusion. But the slashing of budgets goes well beyond DEI, as reflected in the pause in certain infectious disease drug and (mRNA) vaccine development programs, hollowing out of climate change research, cuts in funds for HIV prevention, and elimination of a host of other public health initiatives such as examining vaccine hesitancy.
In light of the disruptions in the federal government and on American university campuses, European leaders are now seizing the opportunity to try and lure U.S. researchers. The EC’s president, von der Leyen announced $566 million in spending earmarked to fund special grants and relocation expenses. This money will be added to resources available to the European Research Council, which has a budget of more than $18 billion for the 2021-2027 period. Separately, French President Macron stated that $113 million would be allocated in his country specifically designed to attract overseas talent. He implored researchers to come to Europe: “If you love freedom, come and help us to stay free to do research here. Help us to be better, to invest in our future.”
For several months, France and other countries in the European Union have been actively recruiting U.S.-based scientists affected by funding cuts or disillusioned by what they perceive as political interference by the federal government. Prior to today’s conference, the governments of France, Germany and Spain wrote to the EC urging it to move fast. The EC has now responded by stepping up efforts to attract what von der Leyen called “the best and the brightest” scientists from around the world. She added, “we can all agree that science has no passport, no gender, no ethnicity, no political party.”
France has been at the forefront of the movement to woo American researchers. It launched a Choose France for Science initiative in April with a dedicated platform for applications from international researchers. The French appear to be particularly keen to attract scientists working on subjects such as infectious diseases, climate research and artificial intelligence. The Aix-Marseille University posted a request in March for applications from American researchers specifically. Three hundred applied. Approximately 40 Americans will soon join the faculty at Aix-Marseille University.
And among other smaller European nations, the Netherlands is creating a “special fund” to attract scientific talent from the U.S. The exact amount hasn’t been revealed, but the Dutch Minister of Education spoke of tens of millions of euros intended for “dozens of top scientists.”
Challenges remain. For decades, Europe has lagged behind the U.S. on biomedical investments, including private-public partnerships. Even with cuts in funding, it’s expected the U.S. will retain a resource advantage, at least in those pursuits deemed to fit with the Trump administration’s “priorities” in research.
And there’s a potential problem of how to successfully attract talent when salaries for researchers across Europe are comparatively low relative to the U.S. Here, however, the pay gap doesn’t tell the whole story as the lower cost of education and healthcare, as well as more generous social benefits, may to some extent offset lower pay and be considered important perks.
