Chicago – April 18, 2025
A French university has received nearly 300 applications from U.S.-based researchers seeking “refugee status” in response to President Trump’s cuts to scientific funding programs. Aix-Marseille University, one of France’s oldest and largest institutions, launched its Safe Place For Science program last month, offering a “safe and stimulating environment” for scientists to continue their research freely.
As of this week, the university reported 298 applications, with 242 meeting the eligibility requirements. Among the eligible applicants, 135 are American, 45 hold dual nationality, 17 are French, and 45 are from other countries. The university noted that the applicants are equally divided between men and women, with many coming from prestigious U.S. institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, NASA, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Yale, and Stanford. The program plans to accept about 20 American researchers to start in June.
The Trump administration has pursued aggressive spending cuts and reductions in the federal workforce, causing significant losses in federal funding for universities and research institutions. In particular, funding for the National Institutes of Health is expected to be slashed by billions, while cuts to federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs have hindered research on topics like climate change and biomedical science.
Aix-Marseille is not alone in trying to attract U.S. talent. France’s CentraleSupélec announced a $3.2 million grant to support American research, while the Netherlands is working on creating a fund to bring top international scientists to its universities.
The appeal from European institutions appears to be resonating. A survey published last month in the journal Nature showed that more than 1,200 scientists cited Trump’s funding cuts as a reason they were considering relocating to Canada or Europe.
