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Macron's €30M 'Choose France' Program Lures Top U.S. Researchers

2/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

French President Emmanuel Macron launched the Choose France program, awarding €30 million to 46 researchers.
The program targets researchers mainly from the United States, seeking academic freedom under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Notable awardees include the mathematician Zhongkai Tao and the astrophysicist Kartik Sheth.
Most awardees will work in Paris or Aix-Marseille.
Experts say relocations will have limited impact on U.S. institutions, which employ over 1.5 million faculty.

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Story summary

French President Emmanuel Macron launched the Choose France program, awarding €30 million to 46 researchers.
The program targets researchers mainly from the United States, seeking academic freedom under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Notable awardees include the mathematician Zhongkai Tao and the astrophysicist Kartik Sheth.
Most awardees will work in Paris or Aix-Marseille.
Experts say relocations will have limited impact on U.S. institutions, which employ over 1.5 million faculty.