The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has made a direct appeal to American scientists who feel threatened by political developments in their country, inviting them to move their work to the European Union, Gazeta Sinjali reports.
She offered concrete support, including increased funding, longer-term contracts, and less bureaucracy for researchers.
“More than ever, we must defend science. A science that is universal—shared by all of humanity—and that unites us,” said von der Leyen during a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris on Monday.
She added: “We all agree that science knows no passport, gender, ethnicity, or political party. We believe that diversity is a richness of humanity and the lifeblood of science. It is one of the most valuable global assets and must be protected.”
Although she did not mention former U.S. President Donald Trump by name, her invitation comes at a time when fears of political interference in scientific research have grown in the United States. Her spokesperson later clarified that the speech was not intended as a comment on how science is managed in other countries.
