Over 100 national and regional initiatives aim to attract global research talent

The European Union is intensifying its efforts to become the world’s leading destination for researchers. A new update from the European Commission shows that EU countries now offer 101 national and regional funding and support schemes to attract, retain and develop research talent – a rise from 65 schemes in May 2025.

These measures complement EU-level opportunities launched under the 'Choose Europe for Science' initiative, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in May 2025. Backed by nearly €900 million in EU funding – €400 million more than initially planned – the initiative aims to make Europe a magnet for scientific excellence.

The national and regional schemes span all 27 Member States and include competitive grants, mobility and reintegration programmes, tenure-track and long-term positions, fellowships for researchers at risk, and comprehensive career development support. Together, they represent at least €1 billion in funding and are open both to researchers worldwide and to those already based in the EU.

Early figures show tangible results. In the second half of 2025, Germany’s Global Minds Initiative selected 166 researchers, while Austria’s APART-USA awarded 25 fellowships. France’s Safe Place for Science at Aix-Marseille University has hosted around 60 international researchers, and Belgium’s Vrije Universiteit Brussel has recruited 12 researchers from abroad.

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