Almost 300 applications have been submitted to the "scientific asylum" program announced by Aix-Marseille University in France for researchers affected by attacks against the academic community in the US, after Donald Trump took office in the White House.
The initiative seems to have been met with great interest, at the same time as the debate intensifies in France on the need to institutionalize the regime of "scientific refugees". The "Safe Country for Science" program, launched at the beginning of this year, offers funding and a three-year reception for about 20 researchers from abroad.
According to the university, 298 applications were submitted within a month. Of these, 242 were deemed eligible. The candidates come from prominent American institutions, such as Johns Hopkins, NASA, Columbia, Yale and Stanford.
Aix-Marseille University President Eric Berton said many applications were sent via encrypted messages, accompanied by "disturbing, sometimes chilling accounts" about the Trump administration's treatment of scientists.
More than half of the applicants are US citizens (134), while 45 have dual citizenship. There have been applications for the program from French, European, Indian and Brazilian scholars, with most reportedly active in fields ranging from the humanities to biology and the environment.
The selection process is expected to begin in the coming days, with the aim of the first researchers arriving in Marseille in early June.
At the same time, former French President François Hollande, now a Socialist Party MP, collaborated with the president of Aix-Marseille to propose the establishment of an international regime for "scientific refugees."
The two columnists called for special protection for scientists, similar to that given to journalists or political opponents who are persecuted. They point out that the current legal framework for asylum does not cover the specificities of the academic world.
Hollande even presented a legislative proposal to the French National Assembly so that scholars who are subject to persecution or restrictions on their academic freedom would receive additional protection, meaning they would not have to meet strict criteria to be recognized as refugees, but would be protected due to serious threats.
As he argues, this way their applications will be reviewed more quickly and clear criteria and integration paths will be established to continue their scientific research.
"It is our obligation, especially for researchers working on issues like the climate crisis. If their work is interrupted or hindered, it will be a step backwards for humanity," said the former French President. (A2 Televizion)
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