Europe is spending political capital and funding to position itself as a destination for global research talent. The rapid expansion of national and regional funding schemes, combined with new EU-level programmes under the “Choose Europe” banner, has attracted increased interest beyond Europe’s borders. The more difficult question is whether this momentum will convert into lasting research capacity rather than short-term mobility.
According to the European Commission, 101 national and regional initiatives are now in place across all 27 member states to attract, retain and develop researchers, a notable increase from last year. These schemes span the research career spectrum, from early-career fellowships to longer-term positions and reintegration support, and together represent at least €1bn in funding. They sit alongside nearly €900m in EU-level funding committed under “Choose Europe” for the 2025–27 period, which the commission presents as a step up in ambition.
Presenting the updated push, Ekaterina Zaharieva, the commissioner for startups, research and innovation, said the EU was working as “Team Europe” to attract research talent from around the world while supporting those already based in the bloc. The growing number of funding opportunities at both EU and national level, she added, was driving “record interest in research opportunities in Europe”.
That emphasis on attraction, however, sits alongside a longer-running policy concern about retention, particularly whether short-term funding and mobility schemes translate into stable careers once initial grants end.
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Applications are up
Early indicators, particularly application data, suggest increased interest. Applications from researchers based outside Europe to flagship EU programmes have risen significantly, especially to the European Research Council (ERC), which awards grants primarily on the basis of scientific excellence. The Commission says rising interest in Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowships signals growing global interest in Europe as a research destination.
National figures point to similarly concrete, if still limited, outcomes. Germany, Austria, France and Belgium, the Commission revealed, have all reported new international recruitment under recently launched schemes, which it presents as evidence that EU-level signalling is translating into hiring decisions on the ground. Taken together, these figures suggest that Choose Europe is functioning as more than a branding exercise.
Yes, but what about the long haul?
All the same, application numbers are not the same as long-term retention. Many of the schemes driving the current uptick in interest are competitive and time-limited, raising questions about how far they translate into stable career pathways once initial funding ends. For early- and mid-career researchers, critics have long pointed to ‘fragmented’ employment systems and uneven progression routes across Europe, and the announcement itself does not spell out how quickly those structural conditions might change.
We are seeing a record interest in research opportunities in Europe. – Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
There is also a risk that the proliferation of more than 100 national and regional initiatives could reinforce existing disparities between member states. In practice, countries with strong research infrastructures and fiscal capacity may be better positioned to benefit from increased global interest, while others could struggle to convert visibility into durable institutional strength. Without stronger coordination, the push for openness could lead to further concentration rather than a more balanced research landscape, critics suggest.
Higher skills: open doors
Visa reform adds another layer of complexity. The commission’s new Visa Policy Strategy aims to simplify entry for highly skilled researchers, but its effectiveness will depend on how consistently it is implemented at national level. Experience suggests that outcomes can still vary across administrations, particularly for researchers relocating with families or navigating multiple systems.
The longer-term test for Choose Europe will be legislative and structural rather than promotional. Whether that initiative delivers meaningful convergence in working conditions, mobility and career development will determine whether Europe’s appeal endures once the initial wave of funding and attention subsides.
For now, Choose Europe for Science represents a credible shift in scale and intent. Its success, however, will ultimately be judged not by application statistics or headline funding totals, but by Europe’s ability to offer predictable careers, institutional stability and reasons for researchers to stay.
