Paris, 5 May 2025 – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the Sorbonne alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, officially presented the “Choose Europe” initiative, a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Europe’s position as a global hub for scientific research and innovation. The initiative aims to attract and retain top scientific talent worldwide by reinforcing academic freedom and creating stable research careers.
In her speech, von der Leyen emphasized that Europe already stands as a global science leader, producing the world’s second-highest scientific output and leading in fields such as green technology and health. However, she noted that greater efforts are needed to remain competitive in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, space, biotechnology, and quantum technologies.
Funding, Freedom, and Career Stability
At the heart of the initiative is a €500 million package for the 2025–2027 period, along with the creation of a long-term “super grant” within the European Research Council (ERC). Additionally, the pilot “Choose Europe for Science,” part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), aims to offer excellent working conditions and more stable career prospects for young postdoctoral researchers.
A total of over €1.25 billion will be allocated in 2025 to support scientific talent development and promote international cooperation. These measures will span all stages of academic careers, with particular focus on young researchers and displaced Ukrainian scientists.
Two new calls will be launched by the end of the year:
- MSCA Doctoral Networks (€597.8 million, 28 May – 25 November): to train doctoral candidates in universities, industry, and public institutions through joint and industrial networks.
- MSCA & Citizens (€16.3 million, 17 June – 22 October): to bring science closer to society through the European Researchers’ Night and school outreach activities.
In addition, €10 million will be allocated to the MSCA4Ukraine programme to support displaced Ukrainian researchers.
These will complement three ongoing calls:
- MSCA COFUND (€105.6 million, deadline: 24 June): to support local doctoral and postdoctoral programmes.
- MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (€404.3 million, deadline: 10 September): to develop the skills and careers of experienced researchers worldwide.
- MSCA Staff Exchanges (€97.7 million, deadline: 8 October): to promote international and intersectoral staff mobility.
Choose Europe for Science: New Career Prospects for Young Researchers
Goals and Regulations
A key component of the initiative is the pilot programme “Choose Europe for Science”, with a budget of €22.5 million for 2025. It will fund long-term postdoctoral positions: up to 36 months financed by the EU, followed by two additional years covered by the host institutions. The goal is to reduce job insecurity and promote research careers integrated into the long-term strategies of research organisations.
The call is open to legal entities, such as universities, research institutes, and innovation centers, based in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country. These institutions will open their programmes to researchers from all over the world, helping to position Europe as a dynamic and attractive environment for scientific innovation.
In addition to funding, “Choose Europe” also includes regulatory measures to ensure research freedom and the free flow of data and knowledge, including a future European Research Area Act. The initiative will be complemented by a European Innovation Act and a strategy for startups and scaleups to accelerate the transition from research to market.
Unlike traditional Individual Fellowships (MSCA-IF), which focus on mobility and skills development, this programme seeks to create long-term professional pathways by integrating researchers into the host institutions.
A key requirement is that participating organisations must guarantee at least two additional years of employment following the three years of EU support, preferably under permanent contracts. This concrete measure promotes more stable and attractive working conditions within the European research landscape.
In line with the EU’s strategic priorities, the initiative aims to build a competitive, inclusive, and forward-looking knowledge ecosystem where science drives progress and global engagement.
Science and the Future: The President’s Final Appeal
President von der Leyen reaffirmed Europe’s proven value as a science powerhouse, from genome sequencing to mRNA vaccines, microchips to the first image of a black hole, and 33 Nobel Prize winners funded by the EU.
With “Choose Europe”, the European Union sends a strong and clear message: science is at the heart of its economic, social, and technological future. Unprecedented investments, new career opportunities, and global openness make Europe the ideal destination for those who want to advance humanity through knowledge. As the President declared:
“To every researcher, wherever you are: Choose Science. Choose Europe.”
For more information
Closing speech by President von der Leyen at the ‘Choose Europe for Science’ event at La Sorbonne
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: Developing talents, advancing research