France, EU leaders spearhead effort to lure US scientists

FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen were set yesterday to host a conference in Paris aimed at attracting US researchers ready to relocate because of President Donald Trump’ policies.

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European commissioners, scientists, academics and ministers for research from EU member countries will discuss, among other things, financial incentives to lure disgruntled US scientists across the Atlantic.

Paris’s Sorbonne University is hosting the conference, called “Choose Europe for Science’, which is to close with speeches by Macron and von der Leyen.

Universities and research facilities in the US have come under increasing political and financial pressure under Trump, including threats of massive federal funding cuts.

US research programmes face closure, tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired and foreign students fear possible deportation for their political views.