Boost in Research Funding: EU Lures Top Scientists with a Billion Euros
EU entices researchers with €500 million investment
Want a better deal as a researcher? Europe may be your next stop, thanks to €500 million earmarked for attracting top talent from around the globe. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan, aiming to make Europe a research magnet, especially for those feeling the pinch of US President Donald Trump's policies.
Von der Leyen believes that Europe needs to set the right incentives to attract global researchers, and this package is her way of making it happen. The package, set for implementation from 2025 to 2027, details seven-year European Research Council (ERC) super grants for top researchers, regardless of their nationality, working at or moving to a European institution.
In addition, the EU emphasizes its commitment to long-term scientific investments and a favorable research infrastructure, further increasing its appeal to international researchers. To sweeten the deal, the EU also aims to increase its research funding to 3% of its GDP by 2030.
These moves come at a time when US President Trump is under fire for budget cuts and job losses in the US research sector. Critics argue that his policies undermine academic freedom and question the role of science, causing concern among researchers.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, saying that a democracy cannot thrive without open, free science. He invited disillusioned US researchers to come to Europe and assist in maintaining freedom and openness in scientific research.
While the €500 million is a significant amount, potential criticisms include the lack of specificity in the allocation of funding and the challenges posed by EU bureaucracy. Nonetheless, the EU hopes this initiative will establish Europe as a leading hub for scientific research, contributing to economic growth and innovation across the continent.
[1] ntv.de
[2] Yale Professor: "There's No Democracy Left in the USA" - Non-EU source
[3] dpa, jki
[4] Trump's Research Hostility Threatens Public Health Worldwide - Non-EU source
[5] Knowledge - Enrichment data source
- The Community policy of attracting top global researchers with €500 million in funding is part of a broader strategy to improve the research and development sector in Europe, aiming to make it more competitive with the US.
- In the context of the financial support for business and education-and-self-development, the EU's investment in research and development is a significant step towards boosting its economy and promoting innovation.
- The political implications of Trump's budget cuts and policies towards science are further highlighted by EU efforts to attract researchers, as these policies are seen as threatening academic freedom and potentially undermining general-news reporting on scientific research worldwide.