Nearly 300 scientists apply for French academic program amid Trump cuts in U.S.

Students, researchers, and demonstrators gathered in protest against the Trump administration’s budget cuts on research, health, and higher education at the University of California Los Angeles on April 8th. Meanwhile, a French university has received nearly 300 applications from researchers seeking “refugee status” due to President Trump’s elimination of funding for various scientific programs.

Aix-Marseille University, a well-established institution, recently launched its Safe Place For Science program, providing a secure and encouraging environment for scientists to continue their research freely. The university reported receiving 298 applications, with 242 currently under review. The applicants include 135 Americans, 45 with dual nationality, 17 French, and 45 from other countries.

University President Éric Berton expressed satisfaction with the attention the request for scientific refugee status has received from the media and political circles. Aix-Marseille University highlighted an equal number of male and female applicants, with backgrounds from prestigious U.S. institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, NASA, and Yale. Around 20 Americans are expected to join the program starting in June.

In response to the Trump administration’s budget cuts impacting scientific research, universities and research facilities in the U.S. are facing significant financial losses. European institutions like Aix-Marseille University and CentraleSupélec in France are seizing the opportunity to attract talented researchers affected by the funding cuts. The Netherlands is also looking to establish a fund to bring top international scientists to the country.

Recent reports suggest that over 1,200 scientists are contemplating relocating to Canada or Europe due to the funding cuts implemented by the Trump administration. Academic discussions indicate a growing interest in exploring opportunities abroad among researchers affected by the current situation.