Since in January Trump took over the office of the US president, both France and the European Union have launched multi -million programs to attract scientists from across the ocean. The initiative of the University of Aix-Marseille (AMC) was the first of its kind in the country-which means that eight scientists who have been qualified are The first “academic refugees” planning to change the United States into France.
Speaking from the University Astrophysical Laboratory, the rector of Amu Eric Berton compared their situation to the fate of European scientists who escaped from the Nazis's persecution before World War II and during it.
“What is happening today is not unrelated to another dark period of our history,” he said. Berton and former French president Francois Hollande They demand the creation of “scientific refugees” for American scholars.
Because most scientists who participated in Berton's speech have not yet signed AMU contracts, they asked to maintain anonymity to protect their research positions in the United States, if they were not accepted or rejected the offer.
Among the candidates was James, an climatologist from a reputable research university, and his wife, who deals with the study of connections between judicial systems and democracies.
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James emphasized that they and his wife submitted applications because “they work in areas that are the target of attacks” and can be exposed to financial cuts. The scientist admitted that he did not think about himself and his academic colleagues as “refugees”, but He expressed a deep concern for the future of scientific research during Trump's rule.
Brian Sandberg, a professor of history at Northern Illinois University, who examines climate change during the small Ice Age, lasting about the 16th to the 19th century, had already planned an annual stay in Marseille as a visiting professor. During the workshops in this city in March he learned about the AMU program and decided to submit an application.
Clement Mahoudeau / AFP / AFP
American historian Brian Sandberg, beneficiary of the “Safe place for science” program takes part in a press conference on the occasion of the welcome of American scientists in AMC, Marseille, June 26, 2025.
“The entire research system and all education in the United States are really attacked,” said Sandberg.
“There will be much less stress”
AMU announced that D298 scientists from prestigious universities applied for the programincluding Stanford and Yale, despite the fact that the university is not as known as France as some Parisian universities. According to Berton, a large number of applications indicate a “urgent character” of the situation on the other side of the Atlantic.
The school has already allocated EUR 15 million (approx. PLN 64 million) to finance the program and strives for the French government to add the same amount. This would allow universities to almost double the planned number of employees from 20 to 39.
However, moving to a new country where English is not an official language is a big step. There is also a matter of remuneration that is lower for scientists in France than in the United States, and the fact that less funds are intended for research.
Clement Mahoudeau / AFP / AFP
Rector of the AIX-MARSEILLE Eric Berton University during a press conference on the occasion of the welcome of American scientists, June 26, 2025.
The biological anthtroil, which is located at the beginning of her career, explained that he was still waiting for the details of the contract from AMU before signing the document due to the differences in remuneration. However, she is comforted by the fact that the costs of living in France are lower – especially considering that the education of her two children, which, he claims, willingly settles in Marseille, will be free.
The university's rector assured that participants of the “Safe place for science” program will receive the same salaries as French scientists. The statement was aimed at calming the fears of the French academic community, that the money will now be allocated to attract scientists from the USA. Local scientists have long complained of insufficient financing.
However, the anthropologist said that a more carefree life can compensate for lower salary. “In general, there will be much less stress, both on the political and academic level,” she said.
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