Europe must champion academic freedom and protect academics at risk

Academic freedom and autonomy are fundamental rights. They are essential for research, education and democratic societies. However, the number of academics who do not enjoy these freedoms has grown as threats to higher education and academic freedom increase globally. Notably, the European Commission’s recently launched Choose Europe for Science initiative puts a strong emphasis on academic freedom. 

Following the 2025 Inspireurope+ Forum in Paris, signatories, including the European University Association, of the statement ‘A Call to Europe to champion academic freedom and protect academics at risk’ urge the European Union to prioritise academic freedom and support for researchers at risk. Key opportunities to do so include the next multiannual financial framework, as well as the upcoming European Research Area Act.

Moreover, the statement calls for the establishment of a permanent European fellowship scheme for researchers at risk, one which is long-term and country agnostic. To establish this scheme, policy makers can build on recommendations from Inspireurope project, as well as the concrete experience of the EU-funded MSCA4Ukraine and SAFE fellowship schemes. Indeed, these initiatives have generated strong evidence for the feasibility, positive impact and European added value of fellowship programmes and European coordination of support for at-risk researchers.