Europe Changes Research Strategy Due to Instability in the US
因美國局勢不穩定，歐洲調整研究策略
Introduction
The European Union has started a new strategy to improve its global scientific position. By attracting international researchers and expanding its partnerships, the EU hopes to benefit from the current lack of stability in the United States' research environment.
歐盟已啟動一項新策略，旨在提升其在全球科學界的地位。透過吸引國際研究人員並擴大合作夥伴關係，歐盟希望從目前美國研究環境缺乏穩定性的現況中獲益。
Main Body
The European Commission has launched the 'Choose Europe' program, providing about €900 million to encourage scientists from the US to move to Europe. This move follows the loss of grant funding and the removal of federal research staff in the US. At the same time, the EU is negotiating a large increase in funding for the Horizon Europe project for 2028–2034, with proposed budgets between €168 billion and €200 billion. Furthermore, the EU is including 'associate countries' such as Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Australia to create a strong international research group.
歐盟委員會啟動了「選擇歐洲」計劃，提供約 9 億歐元鼓勵美國科學家移居歐洲。此舉是在美國失去撥款資金以及聯邦研究人員被裁減後採取的行動。同時，歐盟正在協商大幅增加 2028-2034 年「歐洲地平線」項目的資金，建議預算在 1,680 億至 2,000 億歐元之間。此外，歐盟正將日本、韓國、加拿大和澳洲等「準會員國」納入，以建立一個強大的國際研究集團。
However, there is still a gap in research and development (R&D) spending. Although the EU produces a high volume of academic work, it spends less on R&D than the US and China and struggles to turn research into commercial products. This problem is caused by a lower percentage of industry-led research and complicated regulations. To solve this, the EU is introducing the European Research Area (ERA) Act and the €5-billion Scaleup Europe Fund to help move discoveries from the lab to the market.
然而，在研究與開發（R&D）支出方面仍存在差距。儘管歐盟產出了大量的學術成果，但其 R&D 支出低於美國和中國，且難以將研究成果轉化為商業產品。此問題是由於工業主導的研究比例較低以及法規複雜所導致。為了改善此情況，歐盟正引入《歐洲研究區（ERA）法案》及 50 億歐元的「擴展歐洲基金」（Scaleup Europe Fund），以協助將實驗室的發現推向市場。
Additionally, geopolitical changes have forced the EU to change how it uses its resources. Because of the conflict in Ukraine and less defense support from the US, the EU has increased its funding for military research. Despite this, the EU continues to emphasize 'science diplomacy' through projects like the Africa Initiative. By doing this, Europe aims to be a stable and transparent alternative to the tense relationship between Washington and Beijing.
此外，地緣政治的變遷迫使歐盟改變其資源利用方式。由於烏克蘭衝突以及美國國防支持的減少，歐盟增加了對軍事研究的資金投入。儘管如此，歐盟仍透過如「非洲倡議」等項目繼續強調「科學外交」。藉此，歐洲旨在成為一個穩定且透明的替代方案，以應對華盛頓與北京之間緊張的關係。
Conclusion
Europe is trying to move from being a passive research center to a proactive global leader. It is doing this by increasing funding and building international alliances while working to remove internal barriers to innovation.
歐洲正試圖從一個被動的研究中心，轉型為一個主動的全球領導者。其透過增加資金並建立國際聯盟，同時致力於消除內部創新障礙來實現此目標。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The Power of 'Linking' for B2 Fluency
At the A2 level, you likely speak in short, separate sentences. To reach B2, you must stop treating ideas like separate bricks and start treating them like a chain.
Look at the article's use of Contrast and Addition connectors. These are the secret weapons that make a student sound like a professional.
🛠 The 'Shift' Words
Instead of just saying "but," the text uses:
- However... Used to introduce a contradiction after a full stop.
- Despite this... Used to show that something is happening even though there is an obstacle.
The B2 Upgrade:
- A2 style: The EU has a lot of research. But it spends less money than China.
- B2 style: The EU produces a high volume of academic work; however, it spends less on R&D than China.
🚀 The 'Building' Words
To add information without sounding repetitive, the text uses:
- Furthermore... Adds a new, important point to a list.
- Additionally... Adds extra information to the current topic.
The B2 Upgrade:
- A2 style: The EU is adding Japan. It is also adding Canada.
- B2 style: The EU is including Japan; furthermore, it is adding Canada and Australia to create a strong group.
💡 Pro Tip for the Transition: Whenever you want to say "And" or "But" at the start of a sentence, replace them with Additionally or However. This one small change immediately signals to a listener that you are moving toward B2 proficiency.