France Attracts Top Scientists as US Research Funding Declines
Meta’s chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun, has praised France’s recent initiative to attract top scientists and engineers from around the world. The move comes as the United States faces tightening immigration controls and reduced research funding under the Trump administration.
The National Research Agency, part of France’s Education Ministry, announced the “Choose France for Science” initiative, increasing government funding for universities, schools, and research organizations to entice foreign talent. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that research is a “priority” in a LinkedIn post, inviting researchers worldwide to “choose France, choose Europe.”
LeCun, who was born in France, responded to the announcement by calling it a “smart move.” He had previously criticized the Trump administration for targeting public research funding, noting that many US-based scientists are looking for alternative options. “You may have an opportunity to attract some of the best scientists in the world,” LeCun had advised European countries.
The trend is not limited to Meta’s leadership. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s policies, stating that they constitute a “total attack on all of science in America.” Schmidt mentioned knowing tech professionals who planned to return to London due to the unfavorable environment in the US.
As global research mobility increases, France positions itself as an attractive destination for scientists looking to continue their work in Europe, leveraging its research ecosystem and infrastructure.
