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French University Reviews Applicants for 'Scientific Asylum' as New Refugee Status Bill Advances

Aix-Marseille University's 'Safe Place for Science' program prepares to host displaced US researchers, while François Hollande's legislative push for 'scientific refugee' status gains momentum.

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France's President Emmanuel Macron and France's Minister of Culture Rachida Dati visit the Paris Book Festival (Festival du Livre de Paris) at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, April 11, 2025.  LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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France is offering US researchers a haven at its universities

Overview

  • Aix-Marseille University is reviewing 242 eligible applications for its 'Safe Place for Science' program, which offers three-year fellowships to researchers impacted by US academic restrictions.
  • The program has received applications from prestigious institutions such as NASA, Yale, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins, with successful candidates expected to begin in early June.
  • Each selected scholar will receive between €600,000 and €800,000 in funding over three years, along with support for relocation and integration into the university's research community.
  • Former French President François Hollande has introduced a bill to establish a 'scientific refugee' status, aiming to protect academics facing threats to their research freedom.
  • The initiative highlights Europe's growing efforts to attract global scientific talent, with other European universities and organizations exploring similar programs.