The war for scientific talent is no longer fought only between laboratories or universities. It is now also being played out on the terrain of global politics. France and the European Union have launched this Monday a strategic offensive to attract American researchers affected by the cuts, authoritarianism and uncertainty generated by Donald Trump's administration.

From the Sorbonne University in Paris, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced an incentive package for 500 million euros -about 567 million dollars- with the aim of turning Europe into a "magnet for researchers". Without directly mentioning Trump, Von der Leyen warned that the role of science is being questioned "in today's world" and called this trend "a gigantic miscalculation."

French President Emmanuel Macron was more explicit. He said "Nobody could have imagined that this great global democracy whose economic model depends so heavily on free science... was going to commit such an error." And he added a phrase that resonated loudly with the audience: "We refuse a diktat consisting of any government being able to say you cannot research this or that."

Science in the Trump era

The criticisms are not unfounded. Under the Trump administration, various universities and research programs have faced threats of closure, massive layoffs of federal workers, and a hostile environment for foreign students and scientists. Some even fear deportation because of their political views, which has led to a climate of fear and instability.

In response, Europe is not just making statements. It is offering places, funding, tax incentives and more stable living conditions to attract international, especially American, talent. Macron had already made a direct appeal in previous years: "Choose France," he said then. Now that invitation is taking shape with concrete facts.

France opens its doors

French universities such as Aix Marseille have received an "avalanche of applications" since they launched their "Safe Place for Science" program, aimed specifically at researchers threatened by political decisions in the U.S. The prestigious CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) also launched a plan to attract foreign scientists and even to repatriate French scientists who have settled outside the country.

The objective is clear, according to CNRS President Antoine Petit: to attract those who "do not want to live and raise their children in Trump's America."

Beyond the discourse, the French government has pledged to fund up to 50% of certain research projects and to offer tax advantages to those who choose to relocate. Priority sectors include health, climate change, biodiversity, artificial intelligence and space.

The European challenge
Europe has an obvious challenge: although it can offer competitive infrastructure and a good quality of life, science funding and researcher salaries are often below U.S. standards. However, policymakers are confident that social benefits, lower education and health costs, and political stability will make up the difference.

As one Elysée Palace official noted, this effort comes "at a time when academic freedoms are retreating and under threat in a number of cases."

An opportunity for Latin America?

Although the initiative is primarily designed to attract talent from the U.S., it could also be an opportunity for Latin American researchers who have found it difficult to advance their careers within underfunded scientific systems or under governments with little appreciation for research. If Europe positions itself as a haven for science, its appeal will extend beyond U.S. borders.

In the midst of a world under stress, Europe is betting on the soft power of knowledge. And it is doing so while, in the United States, many scientists are seeing the lights go out in their laboratories.

With information from AFP