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• Nearly 300 U.S.-based researchers have applied to a French academic program due to funding cuts in the U.S.
• The program, “Safe Place for Science,” offers funding and academic freedom to scientists affected by President Trump administration policies.
• Aix-Marseille University is leading the initiative, targeting researchers in climate, environment, health, and social sciences.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

In response to significant funding cuts and policy changes under the President Trump administration, nearly 300 U.S.-based researchers have applied to the “Safe Place for Science” program at Aix-Marseille University in France. This program aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for scientists to continue their research without the constraints imposed by current U.S. policies.

Core Players

• Aix-Marseille University – Leading the “Safe Place for Science” program
• Eric Berton – President of Aix-Marseille University
• Philippe Baptiste – France’s Minister of Higher Education and Research
• Donald Trump – President Trump, whose administration’s policies triggered the funding cuts

Key Numbers

• 300 – Number of U.S.-based researchers who have applied to the program
• 15 million Euros – Funding allocated for the “Safe Place for Science” program over three years
• 15 – Number of researchers the program aims to accommodate
• 25 – Number of scientists from Ukraine, Yemen, Afghanistan, and the Palestinian territories previously welcomed by Aix-Marseille University under another program

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The President Trump administration’s significant cuts to federal research funding, particularly in areas such as climate and health, have created a hostile environment for many U.S.-based scientists. This has led to mass firings and the targeting of research projects that include words like ‘climate’ and ‘women,’ prompting a wave of applications to the “Safe Place for Science” program.

“The risk these researchers face is that their projects will lose funding and that they themselves—if they are foreigners—will have to return to their home countries,” said Eric Berton, President of Aix-Marseille University.

Inside Forces

Aix-Marseille University’s initiative is part of a broader effort by French institutions to support international scientists facing political and financial challenges. The university has previously welcomed scientists from Ukraine, Yemen, Afghanistan, and the Palestinian territories under similar programs.

The “Safe Place for Science” program is supported by the Amidex university foundation and focuses on fields such as climate, environment, health, and human and social sciences.

Power Dynamics

The move by Aix-Marseille University reflects a significant shift in the global academic landscape, with European institutions increasingly positioning themselves as havens for scientific research. France’s Minister of Higher Education and Research, Philippe Baptiste, has been vocal about the need to support scientists affected by U.S. policies.

“Freedom of opinion, free research, and academic freedom are values that we will continue to proudly uphold,” Baptiste said, emphasizing France’s commitment to academic freedom.

Outside Impact

The program’s launch has broader implications for the global scientific community. It highlights the growing divide between countries that prioritize scientific research and those that are cutting back. The initiative also underscores the importance of international collaboration in maintaining the integrity and progress of scientific inquiry.

French scientists have called for rallies in support of “Stand Up for Science” protests in the U.S., further solidifying the international response to the President Trump administration’s policies.

Future Forces

As the “Safe Place for Science” program moves forward, it is likely to attract more researchers from the U.S. and other countries facing similar challenges. The program’s success could prompt other European universities to launch similar initiatives, creating a network of safe havens for scientists worldwide.

Key areas for future focus include:

• Expanding funding and resources for the program
• Enhancing international collaborations and networks
• Advocating for global policies that support scientific research and academic freedom

Data Points

• March 2025: Aix-Marseille University announces the “Safe Place for Science” program
• April 2025: Nearly 300 U.S.-based researchers apply to the program
• 10-15 million Euros: Funding allocated for the program over three years
• 15: Number of researchers the program aims to accommodate annually