EU must consider individual needs when giving scientists sanctuary
International travel may still be restricted across much of Europe, but those who have no choice but to be on the move continue to arrive. In the first 10 months of 2020, nearly 400,000 people applied for asylum across the EU—many fleeing oppressive regimes, violent conflict or political persecution.
Against this backdrop, the European Research Area Committee suggested this month that the EU should offer fellowships and support to researchers who may not be asylum seekers, but whose “freedom of scientific research is under threat”. Such a scheme would cement the EU’s position as “a safe haven” for research freedom and offer scientific talent from abroad a chance to prosper in the bloc.