As the US government cuts funding to colleges, a French university program is attracting a large number of American scientists seeking refuge in Europe. The ‘Safe Place for Science’ scheme aims to provide a safe haven for researchers threatened by Trump’s administration.
Aix-Marseille University in France has seen a surge in applications from scientists studying in the US, as President Donald Trump’s administration cuts funding to colleges. The university’s ‘Safe Place for Science‘ scheme aims to attract US workers from fields such as health, queer studies, medicine, epidemiology, and climate change.
A Growing Opportunity for Europe
With many US-based academics considering crossing the Atlantic amid growing threats to their livelihood, Europe is sensing an opportunity. At least 13 European parties, including Germany, France, and Spain, have urged the European Commission in a letter signed in March to quickly move to attract gifted academics. The European Research Council has planned to double the relocation budget granted to researchers moving to the EU.
A New Era for Refugee Scientists
The ‘Safe Space for Science‘ scheme has received 298 applications, of which 242 were deemed eligible, and their applications are under consideration since there were only 20 available posts. The applicants included 135 US citizens and 45 dual nationals. University director Eric Berton said that the program aims to provide a safe haven for scientists threatened by cuts in higher education in America.
Refugee scientists are individuals who have fled their home countries due to war, persecution, or natural disasters and have pursued careers in scientific research.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are over 26 million refugees worldwide, with many possessing advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Despite facing significant challenges, refugee scientists contribute significantly to their host countries' scientific communities, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise.
In the United States alone, refugee scientists have made notable contributions to fields such as medicine, astronomy, and computer science.
‘Our colleagues were frightened,’ Berton said. ‘It was our duty to rise to the occasion.‘ Berton added that 10 European universities have contacted him about launching similar programs, and he is advocating for creating a ‘refugee scientist‘ status to allow more US researchers into France and Europe.
A Call to Action
Friedrich Merz, Germany‘s chancellor-in-waiting, has stated that the American government is using brute force against universities in the US, resulting in researchers contacting Europe. The European Commission has been urged to quickly move to attract gifted academics, with plans to double the relocation budget for researchers moving to the EU.
However, some experts argue that despite the cuts and Europe’s attempts to seize the opportunity, the size of the existing gap between university spending in the US and Europe means that the status quo would not change that quickly. Michael Oppenheimer, a professor at Princeton, stated that he does not foresee a rapid build-up of additional scientific capability that could match what the US now has for several decades.
The ‘Safe Place for Science‘ scheme marks a new era for refugee scientists, and Europe is sensing an opportunity to attract gifted academics. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the scientific landscape in both the US and Europe.
