As the U.S. government limits financial support for research institutions and endangers funding for top universities like Harvard and Columbia, European leaders are stepping into the spotlight. They are positioning themselves as a refuge for researchers who feel unsupported in America.
At a recent event in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron pointed to the U.S. policies as a monumental miscalculation. He highlighted the shocking nature of a democracy turning away from critical research, especially programs that mention “diversity.” Macron emphasized how essential free science is to the economy, calling it an unexpected mistake for a nation like the U.S.
Simultaneously, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, announced a hefty $566 million investment plan aimed at making Europe an attractive destination for talented researchers worldwide. This funding, she stated, will help support “the best and the brightest” as Europe seeks to solidify its standing in global research. Both leaders did not directly name the U.S. but highlighted the troubling trend of questioning fundamental research freedoms around the world.
At a recent event in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron pointed to the U.S. policies as a monumental miscalculation. He highlighted the shocking nature of a democracy turning away from critical research, especially programs that mention “diversity.” Macron emphasized how essential free science is to the economy, calling it an unexpected mistake for a nation like the U.S.
Simultaneously, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, announced a hefty $566 million investment plan aimed at making Europe an attractive destination for talented researchers worldwide. This funding, she stated, will help support “the best and the brightest” as Europe seeks to solidify its standing in global research. Both leaders did not directly name the U.S. but highlighted the troubling trend of questioning fundamental research freedoms around the world.
