‘Choose Europe for Science’: Emmanuel Macron and Ursula Von der Leyen host event in Paris to attract scientists to Europe – Participation of Rector Gerasimos Siasos

On 5 May 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron undertook an important initiative to attract scientists to Europe. Together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he spoke at the high-profile international forum Choose Europe for Science, held at Sorbonne University in Paris. Also invited to the event by President Macron was Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, alongside other University leaders from across Europe.

Choose Europe for Science is part of a broader effort by European Universities to regain scientific and research talent currently working at Institutions outside Europe and thus strengthen the continent’s independence in research and, more generally, science.

As French President Macron notably put it: ‘There can be no sustainable democracy without free and open science’ and ‘Who could have imagined just a few years ago that one of the largest democracies in the world would halt research programmes simply because their titles included the word “diversity”?’

The entire undertaking is grounded in the belief that Europe’s major strengths lie in the freedom of science and research. Building on this message, Ursula von der Leyen reiterated Europe’s confidence in scientific leadership as well as open and collaborative research and emphasized that Europe must (and will) become a global hub for science, academic freedom, and excellence in scholarship. In fact, she announced that Choose Europe for Science will launch a €500 million programme between 2025 and 2027 to bring in foreign researchers and—to quote her words—‘Help support the best and brightest minds from Europe and around the world’. She also stated that the European Union aims to invest 3% of its budget in research and science.

On its part, the Presidency of the French Republic underlined that the aim of the gathering was to bring together the key players in European research—University rectors, directors of research centres, business people, and politicians from all over the continent—to strengthen the appeal of research in Europe and ensure it continues to draw top talent.

On the occasion of his participation in the Choose Europe for Science platform, the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, made the following statement: ‘It was with great honour that I participated, as Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in the leading European scientific project, “Choose Europe for Science”, which highlighted Europe’s strategic role in the global scientific community and sent a strong message in support of the free movement of scientists, international collaboration, and investment in research and innovation. We congratulate French President, Mr Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President, Ms Ursula von der Leyen, for their highly significant endeavour.

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, one of Greece’s premier academic Institutions, is working diligently to increase our country’s standing in the European and international research landscape. Our engagement in such actions contributes significantly to the development of Greek scientific excellence and connects our researchers to worldwide networks.

Europe remains an attractive destination for science and scientists, and the University of Athens is determined to continue shaping the future of research, education, and innovation on our continent by expanding critical partnerships, such as the one with the renowned Sorbonne University in Paris’.