"Advocate for European Scientific Funding": "It's crucial to emphasize the freedom of research in Europe and our ability to furnish financial support"
Bringing in Bright Minds: France's Strategy to Lure Foreign Researchers Amidst US Research Storm
France is taking a proactive approach in enticing foreign researchers, as declared by Didier Samuel, the President-Director General of Inserm, during a discussion on Monday, May 5th, just hours before the "Choose Europe for Science" conference in Paris.
In the face of dwindling research credits, France is already home to foreign researchers in various laboratories, acknowledges Didier Samuel, yet he believes more initiatives are necessary. European laboratories are receiving a surge of applications from American researchers, he adds, and there is a prevalent sense of uncertainty among these researchers about the political climate in the US.
Didier Samuel terms this trend a "blitzkrieg," a swift, aggressive wave against research, particularly in the medical sector. In certain American sectors, he claims, authorities exert control over researchers' choices, such as forbidding or attacking certain keywords like "gender," "climate," "climate change," "vaccine," or "infectious diseases." Misuse of these words could potentially cost a researcher their job in the US[1].
Warm Welcome with Financial Support
Frustrated by the limited budget compared to the US, Didier Samuel insists that Europe, not just France, can provide the required financial means to welcome foreign researchers. He suggests a combination of French and European action to keep France competitive in the European research landscape[2].
Research and development can serve as a powerful tool for France's competitiveness and national sovereignty. Furthermore, investing in science and research contributes significantly to France's standing as a leader in Europe. Without conducting research upfront, there may be no medical progress, and possibly no advancements at all[3].
Financial Incentives on the Table
Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen are organizing the "Choose Europe for Science" conference at the Sorbonne in Paris on Monday, aiming to attract American researchers currently threatened by the policies of the Trump administration. The French President might announce financial incentives to make France an appealing choice for these researchers[1].
French institutions such as universities are introducing programs like the "Safe Place for Science" to support scientists facing funding cuts in the US. These initiatives have already sparked interest among numerous applicants. On the European level, the EU has pledged a €500 million package for 2025-2027 to attract researchers and strengthen Europe as a hub for groundbreaking research[1][4].
To further sweeten the deal, France offers financial support for selected research projects and presents tax incentives to researchers. Universities like Aix Marseille University have been instrumental in implementing such initiatives[4][5].
These measures aim to bridge the pay gap compared to the US by emphasizing the benefits of lower education and healthcare costs, along with more generous social benefits in France[4][5]. In the end, Didier Samuel remains optimistic that investments in research will yield substantial returns for France's future.
- Didier Samuel, in light of financial constraints in the US, advocates that Europe, including France, can provide adequate financial means to attract foreign researchers, creating a combination of French and European initiatives.
- Research and development can prove instrumental for France's competitiveness and national sovereignty, contributing significantly to France's leadership position in Europe.
- Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen, along with various French institutions like universities, are proposing financial incentives and programs, such as the "Safe Place for Science," to lure American researchers facing policy threats in the US, aiming to solidify France as a hub for innovative research with attractive tax incentives and competitive benefits in health and wellness, general news, finance, politics, medical-conditions, science, and other relevant fields.
