Goodbye to top U.S. scientists, EU earmarks more than $500 million to take top scientists away

President Donald Trump is committing an “error” in the eyes of French President Emmanuel Macron through his “diktat” on what kind of research can and cannot be carried out at institutions in the United States. He along with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a conference in Paris called ‘Choose Europe for Science’ which has the aim of luring US researchers to Europe.

During the conference at the University of Sorbonne in the French capital, von der Leyen announced a €500 million package ($568 million) over the next two years “to make Europe a magnet for researchers,” in order to help poach US scientific talent who are disgruntled with Trump’s policies.

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

“If you love freedom, come and do you research here,” added Macron.

‘Choose Europe for Science’: protecting science, grant top-ups, investment, facilitating startups and scaleups, and speeding up visa process

Von der Leyen laid out the pillars of the ‘Choose Europe for Science’ initiative. “The first priority is to ensure that science in Europe remains open and free. This is our calling card,” she told the assembly of EU commissioners, ministers, and scientists. “We must do everything we can to uphold it – now more than ever before.”

Announcing the €500 million package for 2025-2027, she said that the EU Commission’s aim is to create a new seven-year ‘super grant’ “to offer a longer-term perspective to the very best.” Currently, researchers who relocate to Europe can receive a top-up in addition to their grant, and she said that amount would be doubled this year. Von der Leyen wants that to be extended through 2027.

She called on member nations and the EU Commission to set a 3% target of GDP to be invested in research and development by 2030. “We will put forward ambitious proposals on research and innovation funding in the next long-term budget,” she told the audience. “Because we know that an investment in science is an investment into our future.”

A third pillar would be “to fast-track the pathway – from breakthrough science to transformative innovation and business opportunities.” First-ever legislation will be put forward “to remove regulatory and other barriers, and to facilitate access to venture capital for innovative European startups and scaleups,” she explained.

The final item she said that has to be done is “to make it easier and more attractive to come to Europe for research.” This will be achieved by improving connections between researchers with research institutions that already exist. As well as speeding up and simplifying entry for top researchers. “Because bringing the best from across the world is about bringing out the best of Europe,” she concluded.

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