Photo Shutterstock The European Union and France aim to recruit large numbers of researchers from the United States. They have earmarked 600 million euros for this endeavour. Excellent, but a stark contrast to the Dutch cutbacks in tertiary education, say the Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) and WUR.
French President Macron and EU President Von der Leyen announced the investment during this week’s Choose Europe for Science conference. The announcement follows US President Trump’s budget cuts in scientific research, which have caused scientists to be laid off. France has made 100 million euros available for the recruitment of scientists. The EU has made a further 500 million euros available from 2025 to 2027 to make Europe more attractive to researchers. Admission procedures will be simplified, and freedom of research will be protected under law.
Stark contrast
WUR’s Dean of Research Edith Feskens says this is a typical either-or issue. ‘It is great that our American colleagues are offered alternative opportunities to continue their research, and it is a great incentive for European science as a whole. On the other hand, the contrast between the current situation in the Netherlands and Wageningen is rather stark in view of the budget cuts we are facing. There are clearly two sides to this matter.’
Feskens says that she has already been approached by American researchers interested to learn whether Wageningen has opportunities for them. ‘And those opportunities are currently lacking. However, it is entirely understandable that the EU endeavours to recruit elite American researchers for strategic disciplines. I am curious to see to what degree this endeavour will succeed.’
Wry
Universities of the Netherlands spokesperson Ruben Puylaert says it is good that the European Commission is aware that knowledge, research and innovation are essential in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty. But the contrast with the Netherlands is stark, he says, in agreement with Feskens’ position. ‘The cabinet has already cut about half a billion from the tertiary education and research budgets. With the spring budget, even more cuts are announced. Moreover, it states that the Dutch fund for scientists from the US wishing to relocate to the Netherlands will not be funded with additional budgets.’
Wry, says the spokesperson. ‘Several universities have already announced reorganisations as a result of the budget cuts, while the cabinet is removing funds from universities to attract talent from the United States. Fortunately, the EU is setting an example with this step.’ Puylaert adds that it has since become clear that the funds to recruit American scientists for Europe are not to be removed from the Horizon Europe budget, which also offers subsidies to Dutch scientists for their research.’
