EU Research Initiative
Brussels Plans €500 Million Program for International Researchers
The EU aims to attract more scientists with funding and improved conditions. Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron have taken a clear stance.
From 2025 to 2027, the European Union plans to invest €500 million in a funding package specifically designed to bring international researchers to Europe. This initiative was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris. The goal is to strengthen Europe’s role as a hub for independent research and to enhance its appeal to the global scientific community.
According to von der Leyen, those who choose to work in Europe can expect higher salaries and longer-term contracts. Top researchers will be eligible for funding that spans up to seven years. In addition, immigration and residency procedures are to be streamlined, and access to commercializing research outcomes will be improved.
Legal Protection for Academic Freedom
In her speech, von der Leyen also criticized the growing skepticism toward science and independent research. “What a colossal misjudgment,” she said. As a response, the European Commission plans to enshrine academic freedom in law. However, she did not provide specific legislative details.
Political Reactions and Transatlantic Context
The initiative comes in the wake of recent developments in the United States. In the early months of his second term, President Donald Trump implemented cuts to research budgets and staffing reductions, particularly at elite universities. French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized U.S. policy during his appearance in Paris: “There is no democracy that can endure without free, open science.”
Macron called on U.S.-based researchers to consider Europe as their new professional home: “If you cherish freedom, come and help us stay free—come and do your research here.”
