“A greater number of Europhobic members … in the European Parliament would certainly have negative consequences on the idea to turn scientific research and innovation into a great European policy” says Jean-Pierre Audy, an EPP parliamentarian from France.

The EU Parliament has adopted a package of public-private and public-public research partnerships worth up to €22bn.

Researchers and students are struggling with obstructive rules on immigration to the EU that urgently need updating: scientists from countries outside the EU are not being made welcome and often face problems in moving freely between member states.