Aix Marseille University’s “Safe Place for Science” program, which aims to attract top U.S. graduates, claims it’s received nearly 300 applications from scholars “wishing to pursue their research in complete freedom.”

University President Eric Berton said Thursday the school proposed a bill this week requesting “scientific refugee” status to expedite the processing of qualified U.S. researchers.

Aix Marseille University, which dates back to 1409, said in March it was committing more than $17 million to enticing Ph.D. or MD students from all over the world — but mainly the U.S. — to study in Southern France over the next three years.

University officials announced Thursday they’d received 298 applications for 15 openings when the program begins in June. The 242 applications that meet the school’s guidelines are being reviewed. As many as 40 candidates will be interviewed.

Americans accounted for 135 of those applications and 45 came from people of dual nationalities. Men and women applied evenly, the school said.

“In a context where some scientists in the United States may feel threatened or hindered in their research, our university is announcing the launch of the Safe Place For Science program, dedicated to welcoming scientists wishing to pursue their work in an environment conducive to innovation, excellence and academic freedom,” Aix Marseille University announced when launching the program.

The university said the majority of U.S. applicants have ties to top schools including Johns Hopkins, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Stanford and Yale.

The French university’s effort to attract U.S. scholars coincides with the Trump administration’s efforts to strip funding from academic institutions including Harvard, which is in danger of losing its tax exempt status.

According to Harvard officials, the White House has demanded the Ivy League institution take steps to meet several demands — including the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs — or lose nearly $9 billion in federal funding.

Trump administration critics have warned of a U.S. “brain drain” if top students leave the country and foreign students find studying here uninviting.

______

©2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.