[French] Funding remains flat — but scientists look forward to national research strategy set to begin in 2021.

[Andy]

French government spending on research will remain flat at around €7 billion in 2020 — a sure disappointment to scientists who say that their president and prime minister have often emphasized the importance of research. But many are already looking forward to 2021, when the government is expected to create its first national strategy for research — a plan that is designed to energize French science and may come with a meatier funding boost.

The 2020 draft budget, announced on 26 September and adopted by the cabinet the following day, will increase funds for the French ministry of higher education, research and innovation (ESRI) by 2% to €25.35 billion. The portion of that earmarked for research, however, is €6.94 billion, the same as for last year.

The forthcoming national research strategy, announced by Philippe in February, is currently under development and set to begin in 2021. The government says its aim is to protect research funding, boost the recruitment of early-career scientists and help France to stand out in an increasingly competitive global research landscape.

The strategy will be enshrined in a law that is expected to come into effect on 1 January 2021 — but details including how long it will last for, and how much money will come with it, are still being hammered out.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02953-2