French President François Hollande has announced the cancellation of over half of the government’s proposed budget cuts to scientific research. Originally, the government was planning to make reductions totaling €256 million ($200 million) in the research and higher education sectors. In May, many leaders in the scientific community protested that the budget cuts would adversely affect the state of scientific research in the country. They argued that the cuts would leave research institutions, such as the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, the National Institute for Agricultural Research and CNRS, France’s national research center, unable to operate optimally. Due to media coverage and pressure from the scientific community, President Hollande backtracked on the cuts. However, the budget for research and higher education is still being decreased by €122 million, with €23.1 million less for research in energy, development and sustainable mobility; €6.6 million less for cultural research; €1.2 million less for academic and research programs for agriculture; and €26.1 million less for academic programs in research, economics and industry. Despite the cuts, the government is still funding the National Research Agency at €65 million and has planned for a more promising research budget for 2017.

Source: Chemistry World