Europe eyes scientists hit by cuts, scrutiny

France's President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled new initiatives on Monday seeking to attract scientists in the United States affected by federal spending cuts and academic policy shifts under President Donald Trump's administration.

Speaking at an event entitled "Choose Europe for Science" at the Sorbonne University in Paris, the leaders announced incentives and protections for researchers considering relocation to Europe, reported Reuters.

Von der Leyen unveiled substantial financial backing for the initiative, saying: "Science is an investment — and we need to offer the right incentives. This is why I can announce that we will put forward a new 500-million-euro ($537 million) package for 2025-27 to make Europe a magnet for researchers.

"We are choosing to put research and innovation, science and technology at the heart of our economy. We are choosing to be the continent where universities are pillars of our societies and our way of life," she added.

Macron doubled up on the European message: "If you love freedom, come and do your research here," he said. He called the Trump administration's US science policy a "diktat" and an "error".

The European initiative comes as US universities face unprecedented pressure from federal funding cuts and scrutiny of their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The US Department of Education informed Harvard University on Monday that it was freezing billions of dollars in future research grants and other aid until the country's oldest and wealthiest college concedes to a number of demands from the Trump administration, a senior department official said.

France, in particular, has positioned itself as a key destination for researchers, in fields including health sciences, climate research, artificial intelligence and space, reported The Guardian newspaper.

The country launched its "Choose France for Science" program in April, creating a dedicated platform for international researchers.

The National Center for Scientific Research, or CNRS, the premier research institution in France, has begun actively recruiting foreign scientists and French researchers working abroad.

CNRS President Antoine Petit said some French scientists in the US "don't want to live and raise their children in (President) Trump's United States".

France's Higher Education and Research Minister Philippe Baptiste wrote to universities in March, saying: "Many well-known researchers are already questioning their future in the United States. We would naturally wish to welcome a certain number of them."

Several institutions in France have already launched programs, with Aix-Marseille University's "Safe Place for Science" initiative expecting its first international researchers next month.

The US traditionally offers higher salaries and more substantial research funding through public-private partnerships, presenting an ongoing challenge for European research centers.

After years of watching their top scientific talent migrate to better-funded US universities and research centers, European leaders see this moment as a critical opportunity to reverse the flow, The Guardian said.

The United Kingdom government is also launching a 50-million-pound ($67 million) program aimed at attracting top researchers in response to the Trump administration's restrictive policies on academic freedom in the US.

The initiative will offer funding for research grants and relocation, targeting researchers across disciplines such as life sciences, artificial intelligence, and green energy, the Financial Times reported.

Initially, about 10 research teams are expected to be relocated to the UK.

"We're open for business on international science," said the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, adding that it aims to help "some of the world's best researchers to bring their ideas to life" in the UK.

Agencies contributed to this story.