Latest news with #SafePlaceforScience
Local France
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Local France
'Science refugees': French university welcomes first US researchers
The University of Aix-Marseille (AMU) welcomed the scholars on Thursday, following the March launch of its "Safe Place for Science" initiative, the first among 20 set to relocate there in coming months. The programme has already drawn nearly 300 applicants from top institutions such as Stanford, NASA, and Berkeley. The development comes as US universities have been threatened since Trump's return to the White House with massive federal funding cuts, causing research programmes to face closures. Some staff also fear possible detention and deportation for their political views. Advertisement AMU - one of France's largest universities, with some 12,000 international students alone - is eager to provide a home for these scholars, with research funding for up to three years. Historian Brian Sandberg said he decided to apply to the university in the southern Provence region on a return trip to the United States from France, when he feared he might face arrest at the border of his own country. Though he was not detained, "it makes you think about what is your status as a researcher", said the academic from Illinois whose work focuses on religion, gender and violence. Sandberg is now one of 20 scholars specialising in subjects ranging from health, climate science, astrophysics and the humanities set to relocate to France in September. There, they hope to pursue their research in what they see as a more open academic environment. "The principle of academic freedom, as well as the entire system of research and higher education in the United States is really under attack," said Sandberg. "If I stay in the United States, I can continue to teach, but as a researcher, for the next four years, we're stuck," he said, referring to Trump's term in office. One academic who requested anonymity said Trump's policies directly threatened her work on gender and human-caused global warming. "Apparently, one of the banned words... is 'female'," she said. "I don't know how you can get around speaking about females without using the word," she said. Advertisement In February, the Washington Post reported that the National Science Foundation was flagging research using terms such as "female" and "women" that could violate Trump's orders rolling back diversity initiatives. But she said her decision to move to France went beyond her professional freedom. "I've got kids, I don't want them to grow up in a very hostile area," she said. AMU's programme is part of a broader push to cash in on US President Donald Trump's massive cuts in funding for education. In May, France and the EU announced plans to attract US researchers in hopes of benefiting from the potential brain drain by supporting the costs of hosting foreign researchers. Advertisement French President Emmanuel Macron, who called the growing pressure on academia by Trump's administration "an error", has encouraged US scientists to "choose France". He announced that his government would earmark €100 million to help attract foreign talent. French lawmakers have introduced a bill to create a special status for "science refugees". European Commission head Ursula Von der Leyen has said the European Union will launch an incentives package worth €500 million to make the 27-nation bloc "a magnet for researchers". For its part, AMU expects to welcome the other 12 American researchers in the coming months, with its budget of €15 million. "Saving our American colleagues and welcoming them is also a way of welcoming and promoting global research," said the university's president Eric Berton. "This is a science welcome programme, a science asylum programme. And above all, we want to enshrine the concept of science refugees in law," he added. In recent years, France has already welcomed scholars forced into exile from Ukraine, Yemen, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories.
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
‘Science refugees': French university welcomes first US researchers
US historian Brian Sandberg (centre) - a beneficiary of the "Safe Place for Science" programme - takes part in a press conference in Marseille, southeastern France. PHOTO: AFP MARSEILLE, France - Eight American researchers have arrived at a university in southern France, as the country pushes to offer 'science asylum' to US academics hit by federal research spending cuts under US President Donald Trump. The University of Aix-Marseille (AMU) welcomed the scholars on June 27, following the March launch of its 'Safe Place for Science' initiative, the first among 20 set to relocate there in coming months. The programme has already drawn nearly 300 applicants from top institutions such as Stanford, Nasa, and Berkeley. The development comes as US universities have been threatened since Mr Trump's return to the White House with massive federal funding cuts, causing research programmes to face closures. Some staff also fear possible detention and deportation for their political views. AMU – one of France's largest universities, with some 12,000 international students alone – is eager to provide a home for these scholars, with research funding for up to three years. Historian Brian Sandberg said he decided to apply to the university in the southern Provence region on a return trip to the United States from France, when he feared he might face arrest at the border of his own country. Though he was not detained, 'it makes you think about what is your status as a researcher', said the academic from Illinois, whose work focuses on religion, gender and violence. Academic freedom 'under attack' Professor Sandberg is now one of 20 scholars specialising in subjects ranging from health, climate science, astrophysics and the humanities set to relocate to France in September. There, they hope to pursue their research in what they see as a more open academic environment. 'The principle of academic freedom, as well as the entire system of research and higher education in the United States is really under attack,' said Prof Sandberg. 'If I stay in the United States, I can continue to teach, but as a researcher, for the next four years, we're stuck,' he said, referring to Mr Trump's term in office. AMU vice-president Denis Bertin takes part in a press conference to introduce American scientists who are beneficiaries of the 'Safe Place for Science' programme. PHOTO: AFP One academic who requested anonymity said Mr Trump's policies directly threatened her work on gender and human-caused global warming. 'Apparently, one of the banned words... is 'female',' she said. 'I don't know how you can get around speaking about females without using the word,' she said. In February, the Washington Post reported that the National Science Foundation was flagging research using terms such as 'female' and 'women' that could violate Mr Trump's orders rolling back diversity initiatives. But she said her decision to move to France went beyond her professional freedom. 'I've got kids, I don't want them to grow up in a very hostile area,' she said. A 'science asylum programme' AMU's programme is part of a broader push to cash in on Mr Trump's massive cuts in funding for education. In May, France and the EU announced plans to attract US researchers in hopes of benefitting from the potential brain drain by supporting the costs of hosting foreign researchers. French President Emmanuel Macron, who called the growing pressure on academia by Mr Trump's administration 'an error', has encouraged US scientists to 'choose France'. He announced that his government would earmark €100 million (S$150 million) to help attract foreign talent. French lawmakers have introduced a Bill to create a special status for 'science refugees'. AMU president Eric Berton described 'Safe Place for Science' as a 'science asylum' programme. PHOTO: AFP European Commission head Ursula Von der Leyen has said the European Union will launch an incentives package worth €500 million to make the 27-nation bloc 'a magnet for researchers'. For its part, AMU expects to welcome the other 12 American researchers in the coming months, with its budget of €15 million. 'Saving our American colleagues and welcoming them is also a way of welcoming and promoting global research,' said the university's president, Dr Eric Berton. 'This is a science welcome programme, a science asylum programme. And above all, we want to enshrine the concept of science refugees in law,' he added. In recent years, France has already welcomed scholars forced into exile from Ukraine, Yemen, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
France 24
27-06-2025
- Politics
- France 24
'Science refugees': French university welcomes first US researchers
The University of Aix-Marseille (AMU) welcomed the scholars on Thursday, following the March launch of its "Safe Place for Science" initiative, the first among 20 set to relocate there in coming months. The programme has already drawn nearly 300 applicants from top institutions such as Stanford, NASA, and Berkeley. The development comes as US universities have been threatened since Trump's return to the White House with massive federal funding cuts, causing research programmes to face closures. Some staff also fear possible detention and deportation for their political views. AMU -- one of France's largest universities, with some 12,000 international students alone -- is eager to provide a home for these scholars, with research funding for up to three years. Historian Brian Sandberg said he decided to apply to the university in the southern Provence region on a return trip to the United States from France, when he feared he might face arrest at the border of his own country. Though he was not detained, "it makes you think about what is your status as a researcher", said the academic from Illinois whose work focuses on religion, gender and violence. Academic freedom 'under attack' Sandberg is now one of 20 scholars specialising in subjects ranging from health, climate science, astrophysics and the humanities set to relocate to France in September. There, they hope to pursue their research in what they see as a more open academic environment. "The principle of academic freedom, as well as the entire system of research and higher education in the United States is really under attack," said Sandberg. "If I stay in the United States, I can continue to teach, but as a researcher, for the next four years, we're stuck," he said, referring to Trump's term in office. One academic who requested anonymity said Trump's policies directly threatened her work on gender and human-caused global warming. "Apparently, one of the banned words... is 'female'," she said. "I don't know how you can get around speaking about females without using the word," she said. In February, the Washington Post reported that the National Science Foundation was flagging research using terms such as "female" and "women" that could violate Trump's orders rolling back diversity initiatives. But she said her decision to move to France went beyond her professional freedom. "I've got kids, I don't want them to grow up in a very hostile area," she said. A 'science asylum programme' AMU's programme is part of a broader push to cash in on US President Donald Trump's massive cuts in funding for education. In May, France and the EU announced plans to attract US researchers in hopes of benefitting from the potential brain drain by supporting the costs of hosting foreign researchers. French President Emmanuel Macron, who called the growing pressure on academia by Trump's administration "an error", has encouraged US scientists to "choose France". He announced that his government would earmark 100 million euros ($117 million) to help attract foreign talent. French lawmakers have introduced a bill to create a special status for "science refugees". European Commission head Ursula Von der Leyen has said the European Union will launch an incentives package worth 500 million euros to make the 27-nation bloc "a magnet for researchers". For its part, AMU expects to welcome the other 12 American researchers in the coming months, with its budget of 15 million euros. "Saving our American colleagues and welcoming them is also a way of welcoming and promoting global research," said the university's president Eric Berton. "This is a science welcome programme, a science asylum programme. And above all, we want to enshrine the concept of science refugees in law," he added. © 2025 AFP
India Today
27-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Foreign universities poaching top US scientists hit by Trump-era budget, job cuts
A wave of job losses and funding cuts under the Trump administration has triggered a surge in international recruitment efforts, as universities and governments across the globe seek to attract US scientists facing uncertain futures at dramatic reduction in federal support for research has not only shaken the American scientific community but also opened the door for a potential brain drain, with foreign institutions offering safe havens and competitive President Donald Trump took office, his administration has slashed billions of dollars from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and NASA, citing the need to eliminate waste and realign spending priorities. Governments and universities worldwide have launched aggressive recruitment campaigns. (Photo: Reuters) The proposed budget for next year calls for a 40% cut to the NIH and a staggering 55% reduction for the measures have already led to hiring freezes, layoffs, and canceled grants at major US universities, leaving thousands of scientists—especially early-career researchers—scrambling for an opportunity, governments and universities worldwide have launched aggressive recruitment campaigns. advertisementCanada's "Canada Leads" program, announced in April, aims to bring early-career biomedical researchers north, promising resources and a supportive environment. France's Aix-Marseille University introduced the "Safe Place for Science" initiative in March, pledging to welcome US scientists who feel "threatened or hindered" in their research, the Associated Press too, has rolled out its "Global Talent Attraction Program," offering competitive salaries and relocation packages to lure top talent. European leaders have also moved to enshrine academic freedom in law, with the European Union's "Choose Europe for Science" campaign seeking to capitalise on the response has been swift: nearly half of the 300 applications to France's "Safe Place for Science" came from US-based researchers, and the Max Planck Society in Germany reported a threefold increase in applications from American scientists to its Lise Meitner Excellence note a 25–35% rise in inquiries from US scientists, many of whom are motivated less by money than by the desire to continue their research without political practical hurdles remain, including family ties, language barriers, and differences in pension it is too early to quantify the full extent of the exodus, the trend is clear: foreign institutions are actively courting US talent, and many American scientists are seriously considering offers the world's largest funder of research and development, the US still holds a commanding position, but the current climate has injected uncertainty into a system long seen as the gold standard for global coming months will reveal whether the US can stem the tide—or if the world's laboratories will gain a new generation of American pioneers.
Los Angeles Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Scientists have lost their jobs or grants in U.S. cuts. Foreign universities want to hire them
As the Trump administration cut billions of dollars in federal funding to scientific research, thousands of scientists in the U.S. lost their jobs or grants — and governments and universities around the world spotted an opportunity. The Canada Leads program, launched in April, hopes to foster the next generation of innovators by bringing early-career biomedical researchers north of the border. Aix-Marseille University in France started the Safe Place for Science program in March, pledging to welcome U.S.-based scientists who 'may feel threatened or hindered in their research.' Australia's Global Talent Attraction Program, announced in April, promises competitive salaries and relocation packages. 'In response to what is happening in the U.S.,' said Anna-Maria Arabia, head of the Australian Academy of Science, 'we see an unparalleled opportunity to attract some of the smartest minds here.' Since World War II, the U.S. has invested huge amounts of money in scientific research conducted at independent universities and federal agencies. That funding helped the U.S. to become the world's leading scientific power — and has led to the invention of cellphones and the internet as well as new ways to treat cancer, heart disease and strokes, noted Holden Thorp, editor in chief of the journal Science. But today that system is being shaken. Since President Trump took office in January, his administration has pointed to what it calls waste and inefficiency in federal science spending and made major cuts to staff levels and grant funding at the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, NASA and other agencies, while slashing research dollars that flow to some private universities. The White House budget proposal for next year aims to cut the NIH budget by roughly 40% and the National Science Foundation budget by 55%. 'The Trump administration is spending its first few months reviewing the previous administration's projects, identifying waste, and realigning our research spending to match the American people's priorities and continue our innovative dominance,' White House spokesperson Kush Desai said. Already, several universities have announced hiring freezes, laid off staff or stopped admitting new graduate students. On Thursday, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, though a judge put that on hold. Research institutions abroad are watching with concern for collaborations that depend on colleagues in the U.S. — but they also see opportunities to poach talent. 'There are threats to science ... south of the border,' said Brad Wouters of University Health Network, Canada's leading hospital and medical research center, which launched the Canada Leads recruitment drive. 'There's a whole pool of talent, a whole cohort that is being affected by this moment.' Universities worldwide are always trying to recruit from one another, just as tech companies and businesses in other fields do. What's unusual about the current moment is that many global recruiters are targeting researchers by promising something that seems newly threatened: academic freedom. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this month that the European Union intends 'to enshrine freedom of scientific research into law.' She spoke at the launch of the bloc's Choose Europe for Science initiative, which was in the works before the Trump administration cuts but has sought to capitalize on the moment. Eric Berton, president of Aix-Marseille University, expressed a similar sentiment after launching the institution's Safe Place for Science program. 'Our American research colleagues are not particularly interested by money,' he said of applicants. 'What they want above all is to be able to continue their research and that their academic freedom be preserved.' It's too early to say how many scientists will choose to leave the U.S. It will take months for universities to review applications and dole out funding, and longer for researchers to uproot their lives. Plus, the American lead in funding research and development is enormous — and even significant cuts may leave crucial programs standing. The U.S. has been the world's leading funder of research and development — including government, university and private investment — for decades. In 2023, the country funded 29% of the world's R&D, according to the American Assn. for the Advancement of Science. But some institutions abroad are reporting significant early interest from researchers in the U.S. Nearly half of the applications to Safe Place for Science — 139 out of 300 total — came from U.S.-based scientists, including AI researchers and astrophysicists. U.S.-based applicants in this year's recruitment round for France's Institute of Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology roughly doubled over last year. At the Max Planck Society in Germany, the Lise Meitner Excellence Program — aimed at young female researchers — drew triple the number of applications from U.S.-based scientists this year as last year. Recruiters who work with companies and nonprofits say they see a similar trend. Natalie Derry, a U.K.-based managing partner of the Global Emerging Sciences Practice at recruiter WittKieffer, said her team has seen a 25% to 35% increase in applicants from the U.S. cold-calling about open positions. When they reach out to scientists currently based in the U.S., 'we are getting a much higher hit rate of people showing interest.' Still, there are practical hurdles to overcome for would-be continent-hoppers, she said. That can include language hurdles, arranging child care or elder care, and significant differences in national pension or retirement programs. Brandon Coventry never thought he would consider a scientific career outside the United States. But federal funding cuts and questions over whether new grants will materialize have left him unsure. While reluctant to leave his family and friends, he's applied to faculty positions in Canada and France. 'I've never wanted to necessarily leave the United States, but this is a serious contender for me,' said Coventry, who is a postdoctoral fellow studying neural implants at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. But it's not easy to pick up and move a scientific career — let alone a life. Marianna Zhang was studying how children develop race and gender stereotypes as a postdoctoral fellow at New York University when her National Science Foundation grant was canceled. She said it felt like 'America as a country was no longer interested in studying questions like mine.' Still, she wasn't sure of her next move. 'It's no easy solution, just fleeing and escaping to another country,' she said. The recruitment programs range in ambition, from those trying to attract a dozen researchers to a single university to the continent-wide Choose Europe for Science initiative. But it's unclear whether the total amount of funding and new positions offered could match what's being shed in the United States. Even as universities and institutes think about recruiting talent from the U.S., there's more apprehension than glee at the funding cuts. 'Science is a global endeavor,' said Patrick Cramer, head of the Max Planck Society, noting that datasets and discoveries are often shared among international collaborators. One aim of recruitment drives is 'to help prevent the loss of talent to the global scientific community,' he said. Researchers worldwide will suffer if collaborations are shut down and databases taken offline, scientists say. 'The U.S. was always an example, in both science and education,' said Patrick Schultz, president of France's Institute of Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology. So the cuts and policies were 'very frightening also for us because it was an example for the whole world.' Larson, Ramakrishnan and Keaten write for the Associated Press.
