Aix Marseille University has initiated a new program called Safe Place For Science to welcome American researchers following the implementation of policies by the Trump administration. The university, known for its robust science programs, has seen an influx of applications from individuals seeking scientific asylum.

Other academic institutions in France and across Europe are also extending support to American researchers impacted by job cuts and perceived assaults on research fields under the Trump administration. This poses a significant threat not only to individual careers but also the concept of free scientific inquiry, as emphasized by university presidents.

European universities are moving swiftly to address the significant damage caused by these policies, particularly in fields such as climate change, public health, environmental science, and studies on gender and diversity.

The potential outcome could be a reversal of the long-standing brain drain of scientists moving to the United States. While some Europeans view the situation as an opportunity to strengthen European research centers, academics assert that competition is not the immediate concern. Instead, the aim is to stand in solidarity against what is perceived as a normalization of circumstances in the United States that are far from normal.

Universities in France, such as Aix Marseille and the University Paris Sciences et Lettres, are leading the charge to host American researchers. They are offering varying amounts of funding and positions to accommodate the influx of scientists seeking to continue their impactful research away from the policy-driven restrictions in the US. The response underscores the global interdependence of scientific research and the collective concern for the future of uninhibited intellectual inquiry.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/europe-trump-science-research.html