"Choose Europe" initiative is launched in Paris

On 5 May 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with French President Emmanuel Macron, spoke at the 'Choose Europe for Science Conference' at Sorbonne University in Paris. Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, and Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation also participated in the Conference to underline the role of research and innovation for Europe's competitiveness.

Freedom of science and research is one of Europe's greatest strengths. At the Conference, President von der Leyen reaffirmed Europe's commitment to scientific leadership and to open, collaborative research. The President stated that "More than ever, we need to stand up for science", and that "Europe will always choose science", referring amongst others to Horizon Europe, EuroHPC, collaborative research, the ERC or CERN. The President also conceded that there still is too much red tape.

President von der Leyen then outlined the first elements of the 'Choose Europe' Initiative for open and free science in Europe, saying the Commission wants to "enshrine freedom of scientific research into law in a new European Research Area Act". The President stated that the Commission will put forward "a news € 500 million package for 2025-2027 to make Europe a magnet for researchers. We aim to create a new seven-year 'super-grant' under the ERC to help offer a long-term perspective to the very best". In addition the President announced that there will be a focus on increasing support to early-career scientists through the 'Choose Europe' pilot under the Maria Skłodowska-Curie programme part.

In her speech, President von der Leyen also reiterated the EU's commitment to the 3% target and stated that the Commission "will put forward ambitious proposals on research and innovation funding in the next long-term budget". Furthermore, the President referred to the European Innovation Act and the upcoming Start-up and Scale-up Strategy, to remove regulatory and other barriers, and to facilitate access to venture capital for innovative European start-ups and scale-ups. In addition, Ms von der Leyen pointed out the Commission's intention to better link up researchers with research institutions, to speed up the process around researchers' entering and staying in Europe.

For more information:

Closing speech by President von der Leyen at the ‘Choose Europe for Science' event at La Sorbonne

See also Politico article on the 'Choose Europe for Science' event