Aix-Marseille University in France has launched a programme to welcome American scientists whose research faces funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Recent mass firings and budget reductions, overseen by Trump’s senior advisor Elon Musk, have impacted climate and health research.
In response, the university announced its “Safe Place for Science” initiative, offering affected researchers an environment of “innovation, excellence, and academic freedom.”
University president Eric Berton expressed regret over the need for such a programme but warned that the cuts posed a real danger, particularly for researchers in climate science, social sciences, and the humanities.
The initiative will allocate between €10 million and €15 million to host around 15 scientists over three years.
Aix-Marseille has previously taken in researchers from Ukraine, Yemen, Afghanistan, and the Palestinian territories.
Meanwhile, French scientists are rallying in solidarity with “Stand Up for Science” protests planned across the United States.
France’s higher education minister, Philippe Baptiste, called for stronger support for international scientists, urging a broader European response to Trump’s cuts.
