Aix-Marseille University in France has seen a surge in applications from U.S.-based academics seeking “refugee status” in response to President Trump’s budget cuts affecting scientific programs. The university’s Safe Place For Science program, designed to provide a conducive environment for research, has attracted 298 applications, with 242 currently under review. Notably, 135 American applicants are among those being considered, along with individuals from various nationalities and academic backgrounds.

University President Éric Berton expressed satisfaction with the response to the scientific refugee status initiative, highlighting the diverse pool of applicants from esteemed institutions like Johns Hopkins University, NASA, and Yale. Aix-Marseille aims to accept around 20 American researchers into the program starting in June, emphasizing the importance of collective action in addressing research challenges in France and Europe.

The move by Aix-Marseille reflects a broader trend, as European institutions seek to benefit from the brain drain in the U.S. caused by funding cuts and workforce reductions under the Trump administration. France’s CentraleSupélec and the Netherlands are also taking steps to attract top international scientists, responding to a growing interest among researchers in relocating to countries with more supportive research environments.

With over 1,200 scientists considering a move to Canada or Europe due to funding uncertainties in the U.S., there is a palpable shift in the global scientific community. Academic discussions and reports indicate a widespread acknowledgment of the challenges faced in the current U.S. academic landscape, prompting many to explore opportunities abroad.