The policies of Donald Trump in the United States have generated a significant shockwave in the world of scientific research, with repercussions both nationally and internationally, and France is no exception. The Trump administration has launched an offensive against American science and research, resulting in budget cuts, the suspension of research programs, and threats to access to essential databases.
The Shockwave of American Policy
Budget cuts have affected major agencies such as NOAA, NASA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leading to the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and also impacting universities. This American crisis is transmitted internationally due to the interconnectedness of research projects. Collaborations are disrupted, programs are suspended, and access to common data is threatened, causing concern in the global scientific community.
The impact of these decisions is felt in various fields, from biomedical research to climate science, with potentially serious consequences for public health and international cooperation. Concerns are growing about the free movement of researchers and access to reference data hosted in the United States.
France’s Reaction and the Call to Europe
Faced with this situation, France has demonstrated a clear willingness to welcome researchers destabilized by American policy. The University of Aix-Marseille launched a specific program (“Safe place for science”) to attract these talents, offering substantial financial support per researcher over three years. This initiative has generated significant interest, with numerous applications received from researchers from various prestigious institutions.
President Emmanuel Macron also addressed an appeal to researchers worldwide, inviting them to choose France and Europe as new places for scientific development. The government has established the “Choose France for Science” platform to facilitate this welcome. The Minister of Higher Education and Research, Philippe Baptiste, emphasized France’s capacity to host hundreds of researchers and stressed the need for European mobilization to support this effort.
Challenges and Perspectives
This unprecedented situation poses significant challenges, but it also represents an opportunity for France and Europe to strengthen their position on the global scientific stage. By welcoming high-level researchers and investing in research, France and Europe can not only mitigate the negative consequences of American policy but also boost their own research and innovation ecosystem.
In this context, it is important to note that LexCase lawyers support American researchers and research institutions in France in the regulatory and legal management of the entire immigration process in France, thus facilitating their installation and contribution to French research.
For more information, please contact directly our French Desk : immigrationcontact@lexcase.com or +33 1 40 20 22 22
