PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron has sharply criticized the United States for revoking visas of researchers and cutting support for academic institutions, calling it a fundamental mistake for a country built on open scientific exchange. Speaking at the Choose Europe for Science event at Sorbonne University, Macron said it was difficult to imagine “one of the world’s great democracies” dismantling research programs over ideological concerns.
“This is an error—especially for a nation that has always thrived on free, open science,” Macron said, referring to moves by the Trump administration to defund prestigious universities like Harvard and Columbia and roll back research initiatives over diversity-related policies.
In response, France has launched a new program to attract international researchers—particularly those leaving the U.S.—offering to cover up to 50% of institutional costs for universities that hire them. The initiative is backed by $113 million in funding.
Europe Steps Up as U.S. Pulls Back
France’s efforts are part of a broader European initiative to capitalize on what leaders see as U.S. missteps in scientific policy. According to the New York Times, several European governments view the U.S. retreat as a “gigantic miscalculation.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this sentiment during the same event, unveiling a €500 million ($566 million) plan to attract global talent over the next two years. She emphasized the need to defend “fundamental, free, and open research”, warning that attempts to curtail academic freedom—without directly naming the U.S.—represent a severe error in judgment.
“In today’s world, questioning the freedom of research is a gigantic miscalculation,” von der Leyen said. The initiative complements the EU’s existing €105 billion Horizon Europe program, which has supported major breakthroughs including mRNA vaccine development.
Expanded Support for Global Researchers
The European Commission also plans to:
- Double grants for relocating international researchers
- Codify scientific freedom through the European Research Area Act
France’s new national program, detailed by Macron, aligns with these goals and aims to position Europe as a global leader in science and innovation at a time when the U.S. appears to be retreating from that role.
