help wanted. I'm looking for an American researcher.
When President Trump cuts billions of dollars in federal dollars from scientific labs and universities, limits what he can research and pushes out immigrants, rival nations hope to pick up talent that has been put aside or disillusioned.
For decades, it has been difficult to try and compete with American institutions and businesses. The United States was a magnet for top researchers, scientists and scholars. Generally, the budgets were bigger, wages were bigger, and the labs and equipment were bigger. So was ambition.
In 2024, the US spent nearly 1 trillion dollars (about 3.5% of total economic output) on research and development. The government accounted for about 40% of its spending on a kind of long-term basic research that underpins technological and scientific advances in America.
That's why political, education and business leaders in developed and emerging economies have long fretted brain drains from their shores. Now they have a chance to turn the flow back.
“This is a once-a-century brain opportunity,” the Australian Institute of Strategic Policy declared, as it encouraged the government to act.
Last week, at the request of more than 12 members, the European Union announced that it would spend another 500 million euros, or $556 million, over the next two years, “to turn Europe into a magnet for researchers.”
This amount is only a small amount compared to the US budget. So, if their appeal meets the demand to “show me money,” that's understandable.
After all, salaries tend to be much lower in Europe. In France, for example, a 35-year-old researcher can expect to win around 3,600 euros (about $4,000) before tax, according to the French Ministry of Education and Research. A postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University will earn around 6,000 euros (approximately $6,685) a month in the US.
Still, I'm interested. Of the 1,600 people who responded to Nature's March poll, many have PhDs. Or US postdoc students – three out of four said they are considering leaving the country due to Trump administration policies.
And Europe's more generous social safety nets can make up for the majority of the pay gap, said Patrick Lemer, president of the Savantes Academy of France's Savantes Academy de France, an international councilman representing around 50,000 scholars in France.
“There's far less money in Europe and the pay is much lower,” he said. “But you also have very good social security and health care. It's free. School and university tuition is free.”
Here are some of the pitches offered by countries and universities around the world.
France
In addition to the European Union, France pledged last week to put cash on the table. President Emmanuel Macron said his government would spend $113 million on a program to attract American researchers.
Other academic institutions make their own money. AIX Marseilles University said it would spend up to $16.8 million to fund 15 foreign researchers. According to Journal Science, the offer has attracted more than 50 applicants so far. University of Paris Sacree University has also established five new positions for American researchers.
Spain
Spanish Minister of Science Diana Morant said the government is budgeting an additional 45 million euros to “been underspended or undervalued by the Trump administration” to seduce scientists. The program offers American researchers an additional $200,000 grant in addition to the $1 million package that is normally offered.
Catalonia, a prosperous northeastern region of Spain, has announced a $34 million program to attract American researchers “where academic freedom can be seen as limited.” The 12 universities will help sponsor a total of 78 “high quality” scientists from the United States over the next three years.
Denmark
It is set in Bruce Springsteen's “Born America” ​​an Instagram post by Danish Chamber of Commerce CEO Brian Mikkelsen. This appealed, “This is a direct invitation to American researchers.” As politics veils science, talented people are losing their jobs and funds, he said. “I want you to know that there are alternatives. In Denmark, we value science. We believe in the facts,” he said the Chamber of Commerce and the Engineers Association are asking researchers to quickly track 200 positions over the next three years. No mention of funding was made.
Sweden
Swedish Minister of Education Johann Peson held a meeting with staff from nine university officials last month to discuss ways to attract disgruntled talent. “To American scholars and scientists: We need you!” he wrote to X.
Norway
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Garh Sto said: The government is offering 100 million cloners ($9.6 million) to fund experienced US and other international researchers next year.
UK
The Labour government reportedly plans to spend £50 million ($66 million) on funding and relocating international scientists.
Canada
The University Health Network and other foundations in Toronto are dedicated $30 million ($21.5 million) to recruit 100 young scientists from the United States and elsewhere. In April, the University of British Columbia launched “US Applicants Week” and resumed applications for several graduate programs, allowing American students to offer other opportunities.
Portugal
Citing Trump administration's policies, Portugal's NOVA School of Medicine has announced that it will budget an additional $2 million to cover three years of “outstanding international researchers” salary and some relocation costs.
Austria
“The destruction of the freedom of science and democracy in America is unspeakable to me,” Eva Maria Holtzleitner, Minister of Science Research, said in an Instagram video. “We are working on a program that provides safe shelter for at-risk students and scientists.”
Last month, Austria opened its own national portal on Euraxess. Researchers are a platform supported by 43 European countries that provide a wide database of recruitment, scholarships and grants, as well as information on organizing research projects in Europe.
Australia
The Australian Academy of Sciences launched a global talent search last month, with the president saying there is “an urgent and unparalleled opportunity to attract the smartest minds of leaving the United States.” Callout asked for a donation to fund the effort.
Ireland, Belgium, South Korea and China also spoke about the launch of a programme aimed at US researchers, scientists and students.
Liz Alderman I contributed a report from Paris.
