It is not yet known what impact Macron’s appointment as President will have on French Higher Education. His first decision was to separate the Ministry for Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation when appointing ministers. Macron’s campaign included the promise to include members of civil society and politicians drawn from both the left and right in his cabinet. Notably, he nominated Frédérique Vidal, formerly President of the Nice-Sophia-Antipolis University and a biochemist as Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. The university community is likely to be looking to Vidal for change regarding the ever increasing number of students in universities and the question of selection. Another issue is the growing number of short term contracts and precarious positions held by university employees. The French Conference of University Presidents (CPU) were positive regarding Vidal’s appointment, saying it's an “excellent signal to the university community” that research and higher education once more has its own ministry.

During his campaign, Macron was very vocal in his support for science, using social media to reach out to US scientists, researchers and engineers with a call to relocate to France. Macron has additionally added ‘Innovation’ to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, showing how important this it to his mandate.