How Europe aims to attract American scientists and protect academic freedom

Brussels

Ekaterina Zhaarieva is the new commissioner of the European Union for startups, research and innovation. After a long profession in the Bulgarian government, including the Minister of Justice, he took office in December.

The right -wing governments seek to reduce billions of euros from research in Europe

Zahariva comes at a turbulent time: Europe is trying to enhance its defenses against Russia and enhance its late economic performance. The research is seen as important to achieve both goals. The relationship of the mass with the United States on rocky land. The administration of US President Donald Trump showed open contempt for Europe. She also started to dismantle science programs, prompting many American scientists to think about leaving. Zhaarieva says the European Union is keen to attract them.

One of the main jobs of the Commissioner is to form a successor to the horizon research program in Europe with a value of 93.5 billion euros ($ 101 billion)-which supports basic and applied sciences-which will start in 2028.

The budget and the plan are expected to be determined this year. But there is a discussion about whether the program should be included in the broader “Competitiveness Fund” in the European Union, aiming to revive the economy. Some scientists are concerned that this can convert from research to meeting immediate economic needs.

nature Met Zhaarieva in Brussels to discuss the response of the European Union of attacks on American science and the future of the pioneering research program.

75 % of scientists who answered the nature poll are thinking about leaving

Do you want Europe to attract American scientists with discontent?

Yes, a lot. When you talk about science, innovation, or startups, what moves is talent. Europe has a large cloud factor, so we are working to attract senior researchers. Horizon Europe focuses on this-we have Marie Skłodowska-Curie, a very successful program for early care researchers. This program will launch another initiative, Europe, which will provide young researchers as a great way to permanent jobs. We are also working with the European Research Council to obtain a dedicated program on academic chairs for senior scientists. In 2026-1027, we will expand the European Research Region Chair plan, spending between 150 million euros and 170 million euros. We are also working on the visa strategy to make the process faster.

Last month, many European research ministers warned that freedom of science was at risk, and urged the European Union to show solidarity with the affected scientists. Is this warning hesitated?

We can have a grant program to make scientists choose Europe, but if this is not a good place to conduct research, it will not come. It is important that you have the right conditions for them, but they also need not freedom to conduct research. Even before the new American administration, it has committed to preserving academic and scientific freedom as a top priority for the state, and we will propose legislative measures next year.