EU's von der Leyen invites scientists, researchers to make Europe their home

30/4/2025 6:24

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday invited scientists and researchers from the world over to make Europe their home when

the Trump administration is threatening to cut federal funding for Harvard and other U.S. universities.



They have been in the administration's crosshairs, mainly over how they handled pro-Palestinian rallies against Israel's war in Gaza that roiled campuses last year, but also over issues like DEI programs, climate initiatives and transgender policies.



"Controversial debates at (European) universities are welcome. We consider freedom of science and research as fundamental," von der Leyen said in Valencia at the 2025 Congress of the conservative European People's Party, the largest of the European Parliament.



"Not only because it is a core value for us but also because this is how excellence and innovation thrive," she said.