PARIS (AP) – The European Union launched a campaign on Monday to attract scientists and researchers in Europe with offers from subsidies and new political plans, after the Trump administration frozen we government financing linked to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“A few years ago, no one would have imagined that one of the largest democracies in the world would cancel research programs under the pretext that the word diversity was in this program,” said French president Emmanuel Macron during the “Choosing Europe for Science” event in Paris.
“No one would have thought that one of the largest democracies in the world would remove the ability of a researcher or another with a stroke to obtain visas,” said Macron. “But here we are.
Taking the same stage at the University of Sorbonne, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the EU executive power would set up a program of “super subsidy” aimed at offering “a longer -term perspective to the best” in the field.
AP Audio: Europe is launching a desire to attract scientists and researchers after Trump froze American funding
The AP correspondent, Karen Chammas, reports that the European Union has launched a desire to attract American scientists and researchers in Europe.
She said that 500 million euros ($ 566 million) will be offered in 2025-2027 “to make Europe a magnet for researchers.” It would be injected into the European Research Council, which already has a budget of more than 16 billion euros ($ 18 billion) for 2021-2027.
Von der Leyen said the EU in the 27 nations intended to “consecrate the freedom of scientific research in law” with a new legal law. While “threats are increasing around the world, Europe will not compromise on its principles,” she said.
The White House replied by describing Dei as “an intrinsically discriminatory policy”.
“If the European Union wants to adopt policies that are divided, rather than focusing on real scientific discoveries, they should not be surprised when American innovation continues to overcome Europe,” said spokesman Anna Kelly. “America will continue to attract and cultivate the best talents of science, research and beyond.”
Macron said the French government would also soon make new proposals to strengthen investments in science and research.
Last month, hundreds of university researchers In the United States, the funding of the National Science Foundation was canceled to comply with the order of American president Donald Trump to set up support for research on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the study of disinformation.
Until now, more than 380 grant projects have been reduced, including work to combat internet censorship in China and Iran and a consulting project for Aboriginal communities to understand environmental changes in the Alaska region.
Some have ended the subsidies that sought to expand the diversity of people who study science, technology and engineering. Scientists, researchers and doctors have taken to the streets to protest.
Although he does not mention the Trump administration by name, Von Der Leyen said it was “a false defeat” to undermine free and open research.
“We can all agree that science has no passport, no sex, no ethnicity, no political party,” she said. “We believe that diversity is an asset of humanity and the vital element of science. It is one of the most precious global active ingredients and it must be protected. ”
Von der Leyen’s desire to promote opportunities in Europe in the field of science and to take advantage of the movements of American policy arguing with the way she played the potential of commercial transactions with other countries since Trump took office in January and triggered a pricing war last month.
The former German Defense Minister, and Doctor trained, has sworn that the EU would also address some of the roadblocks that scientists and researchers face excessive administrative formalities and access to businesses.
Macron said science and research should not “be based on the diktats of a few”.
Macron said that Europe “should become a refuge” for scientists and researchers, and he said to those who feel threatened elsewhere: “The message is simple. If you like freedom, come and help us stay free, do research here, help us get better, invest in our future.”
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Lorne Cook reported in Brussels. The writer Associated Press, Chris Megerian, contributed from Washington.