MARSEILLE, France — When this city’s largest university launched a program earlier this year to offer U.S. scientists three-year postings, it didn’t take long for the applications to roll in. Within weeks, there were nearly 300.
Those applications detailed researchers’ grants and publication records, but in the view of the president of the school, they also brought to life the very real fears American academics are facing as the Trump administration axes funding for scientific research in the United States.
“Their futures are being threatened,” Eric Berton, the president of Aix Marseille University, told reporters at a press event here last Thursday with some of the scientists who are finalists for the “Safe Place for Science” program. “It reminds us that scientific freedom should never be taken for granted,” he added, against a backdrop of images of the cosmos on display at the Marseille Astrophysics Laboratory.
This university — and this country — have been among the most aggressive globally in aiming to pounce on what many scientists describe as the dire situation in the U.S., and what in turn has become a poaching opportunity for other countries, particularly in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron last month said the government would set aside 100 million euros to attract international researchers, calling the funding cuts in the U.S. “such a great mistake.” Lawmakers are working to ease the process for scientists to move to France.
Despite such ambitions, exactly how things will play out — both for Americans looking to jump to Europe, and for science writ large — is unclear. For all of the academic community’s praise of any effort to back research at a time when it’s endangered in a country where it has traditionally enjoyed the greatest levels of support, the boosterish event here skirted some of the tensions that have lurked as European countries and universities seemingly roll out the red carpet for American scientists.
This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers
Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts.
Already have an account? Log in
To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+.
