France and the European Union have announced a €500 million incentive package aimed at attracting international scientists to Europe between 2025 and 2027. The initiative, unveiled Monday by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron, is intended to fund research projects and support universities in covering relocation costs for foreign researchers.
Von der Leyen emphasized that science is a long-term investment and said the funding aims to make Europe a “magnet for researchers.” The announcement comes amid rising tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and American universities. Trump’s administration has taken steps such as freezing federal funding and threatening institutions like Harvard with revoking tax-exempt status.
President Macron criticized the U.S. approach, calling it a surprising shift away from innovation and scientific freedom. However, European institutions still face financial limitations compared to their well-funded U.S. counterparts, raising questions about whether the new package will be enough to attract top talent.
