As the US federal government moves to slash billions in scientific research funding, universities and governments across the world are launching new initiatives to attract affected American scientists. Programs in Canada, Europe, and Australia aim to offer early-career researchers funding, academic freedom, and long-term opportunities, as per a report by Associated Press.
Canada’s “Canada Leads” program, launched in April, focuses on biomedical researchers. France’s Aix-Marseille University introduced “Safe Place for Science” in March, pledging to welcome US-based scientists who feel restricted in their work. Australia’s “Global Talent Attraction Program,” also launched in April, promises competitive salaries and relocation packages.
“In response to what is happening in the US, we see an unparalleled opportunity to attract some of the smartest minds here,” said Anna-Maria Arabia of the Australian Academy of Sciences.
Since World War II, US scientific leadership has relied heavily on federal funding for independent universities and research agencies. That system is now under pressure. President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed steep budget cuts—about 40% to the National Institutes of Health and 55% to the National Science Foundation. The government has cited the need to eliminate inefficiencies and refocus funding on new priorities.
“The Trump administration is spending its first few months reviewing the previous administration's projects, identifying waste, and realigning our research spending to match the American people's priorities and continue our innovative dominance,” said White House spokesperson Kush Desai.
As a result, many US universities are cutting staff, halting graduate admissions, and freezing hiring. On top of that, the administration recently attempted to block Harvard University from enrolling international students—a decision that has been paused by a court.
Foreign institutions are closely watching. “There are threats to science … south of the border,” said Brad Wouters of University Health Network in Canada. “There’s a whole pool of talent, a whole cohort that is being affected by this moment.”
Programs abroad are appealing not just with funding, but by emphasizing academic freedom. The European Union recently launched “Choose Europe for Science,” with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for legal protection of research freedom. Eric Berton of Aix-Marseille University said many applicants from the US are drawn by the promise of continuing their work without restrictions. “Our American research colleagues are not particularly interested in money,” he said. “What they want above all is to be able to continue their research and that their academic freedom be preserved.”
Though it is still early, several global institutions report strong interest from U.S.-based researchers. France’s Institute of Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology received double the US applications compared to last year. Germany’s Max Planck Society also saw a threefold rise in applications from American scientists to its Lise Meitner Excellence Program for young female researchers.
UK-based recruiter Natalie Derry from WittKieffer reported a 25–35% increase in US applicants seeking global roles. “We are getting a much higher hit rate of people showing interest,” she said. Still, she noted that international relocation poses challenges, from childcare and eldercare to pension system differences.
Some US researchers say they are considering relocation for the first time. Brandon Coventry, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said uncertainty around grants has pushed him to apply to positions in Canada and France. “I’ve never wanted to necessarily leave the United States, but this is a serious contender for me,” he said.
Others are more cautious. Marianna Zhang, a researcher at New York University, said losing her National Science Foundation grant made her feel the U.S. was no longer interested in her work. “It’s no easy solution, just fleeing and escaping to another country,” she said.
While the recruitment programs vary in scale, it’s unclear whether the total positions offered abroad can match the losses in the US. Despite current cuts, the US remains the top global funder of R&D, contributing 29% of the world’s total in 2023.
Scientific leaders abroad also express concern about the broader impact. “Science is a global endeavor,” said Patrick Cramer of the Max Planck Society. “To help prevent the loss of talent to the global scientific community” is one of the key aims of these programs, he added.
Patrick Schultz of France’s Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology echoed this concern. “The US was always an example, in both science and education,” he said. “So the cuts and policies were very frightening also for us because it was an example for the whole world.”
(With inputs from Associated Press)
Canada’s “Canada Leads” program, launched in April, focuses on biomedical researchers. France’s Aix-Marseille University introduced “Safe Place for Science” in March, pledging to welcome US-based scientists who feel restricted in their work. Australia’s “Global Talent Attraction Program,” also launched in April, promises competitive salaries and relocation packages.
“In response to what is happening in the US, we see an unparalleled opportunity to attract some of the smartest minds here,” said Anna-Maria Arabia of the Australian Academy of Sciences.
Since World War II, US scientific leadership has relied heavily on federal funding for independent universities and research agencies. That system is now under pressure. President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed steep budget cuts—about 40% to the National Institutes of Health and 55% to the National Science Foundation. The government has cited the need to eliminate inefficiencies and refocus funding on new priorities.
“The Trump administration is spending its first few months reviewing the previous administration's projects, identifying waste, and realigning our research spending to match the American people's priorities and continue our innovative dominance,” said White House spokesperson Kush Desai.
As a result, many US universities are cutting staff, halting graduate admissions, and freezing hiring. On top of that, the administration recently attempted to block Harvard University from enrolling international students—a decision that has been paused by a court.
Foreign institutions are closely watching. “There are threats to science … south of the border,” said Brad Wouters of University Health Network in Canada. “There’s a whole pool of talent, a whole cohort that is being affected by this moment.”
Programs abroad are appealing not just with funding, but by emphasizing academic freedom. The European Union recently launched “Choose Europe for Science,” with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for legal protection of research freedom. Eric Berton of Aix-Marseille University said many applicants from the US are drawn by the promise of continuing their work without restrictions. “Our American research colleagues are not particularly interested in money,” he said. “What they want above all is to be able to continue their research and that their academic freedom be preserved.”
Though it is still early, several global institutions report strong interest from U.S.-based researchers. France’s Institute of Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology received double the US applications compared to last year. Germany’s Max Planck Society also saw a threefold rise in applications from American scientists to its Lise Meitner Excellence Program for young female researchers.
UK-based recruiter Natalie Derry from WittKieffer reported a 25–35% increase in US applicants seeking global roles. “We are getting a much higher hit rate of people showing interest,” she said. Still, she noted that international relocation poses challenges, from childcare and eldercare to pension system differences.
Some US researchers say they are considering relocation for the first time. Brandon Coventry, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said uncertainty around grants has pushed him to apply to positions in Canada and France. “I’ve never wanted to necessarily leave the United States, but this is a serious contender for me,” he said.
Others are more cautious. Marianna Zhang, a researcher at New York University, said losing her National Science Foundation grant made her feel the U.S. was no longer interested in her work. “It’s no easy solution, just fleeing and escaping to another country,” she said.
While the recruitment programs vary in scale, it’s unclear whether the total positions offered abroad can match the losses in the US. Despite current cuts, the US remains the top global funder of R&D, contributing 29% of the world’s total in 2023.
Scientific leaders abroad also express concern about the broader impact. “Science is a global endeavor,” said Patrick Cramer of the Max Planck Society. “To help prevent the loss of talent to the global scientific community” is one of the key aims of these programs, he added.
Patrick Schultz of France’s Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology echoed this concern. “The US was always an example, in both science and education,” he said. “So the cuts and policies were very frightening also for us because it was an example for the whole world.”
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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