France urges its institutions to welcome scientists fleeing Trump-ruled US
What's the story
France has urged its research institutions to welcome scientists leaving the US due to President Donald Trump's policies, according to AFP.
Since return to the White House, the Trump administration has cut federal research funding for life-saving research and dismissed hundreds of federal workers working on health and climate causes.
Initiative
Aix-Marseille University announces program
Aix-Marseille University in southern France announced it was setting up a program dedicated to welcoming US researchers, notably those working on climate change.
The move is in response to fears over Trump's policies and their impact on scientific research in the US.
Trump has also withdrawn Washington from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Call to action
French minister urges institutions to welcome US researchers
Philippe Baptiste, France's minister for higher education and research, has written to the country's institutions.
"Many well-known researchers are already questioning their future in the United States."
Baptiste expressed a desire to welcome a certain number of them and requested research leaders to send him "concrete proposals on the topic, both on priority technologies and scientific fields."