These decisions, along with the fears of future financing cuts, led to the exodus of scientists from the United States, and scientists are now trying to continue their career outside the country. Some Analysis published in Nature He stated that 75 percent of American scientists surveyed was considering leaving the country. Meanwhile, Natural career dataThe global scientific employment platform reveals that from January to March this year American professionals sent 32 percent more applications to foreign institutions compared to the same period in 2024. In addition, the number of American users examining opportunities outside this country increased by 35 percent.
At the same time, international interest in working in the United States has dropped significantly. In the first quarter of the year of using scientists from Canada, China and Europe to American research centers cut 13 percent, 39 percent and 41 percent, respectively.
Against this background, European institutions intensified their efforts to attract American talents. The AIX-Marseille University in France was recently launched Safe place for scienceA program aimed at organizing American researchers rejected, assessed or constrained by Trump’s policy. This project is supported by an investment about EUR 15 million.
In the same poems, the Society of Max Planck in Germany announced a creation Transatlantic Max Planck programwhose goal is to establish joint research centers with US institutions. “We will consider the outstanding investigators who have to leave the US as director,” said the director of the Society Patrick Cramer in the speech discussing the program.
Spain is looking for a leading role
Juan Cruz Cigudosa, the Spanish Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, emphasized that Spain is also actively involved in attracting global scientific talents and priority treats areas such as quantum biotechnology, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductor, like everything that strengthens the technological sovereign of the country.
To achieve this, the Pedro Sánchez government strengthened existing programs. The ATRAE program – which aims to encourage recognized researchers to bring their work to Spain – has been strengthened with 45 million euros for the recruitment of scientists who are leaders of strategic fields, with particular emphasis on American experts who feel “look”. This program offers additional financing of EUR 200,000 for a project selected from the United States.
Similarly, the Ramón y Cajal program – created 25 years ago to continue his career of teenage scientists – increased its financing by 150 percent from 2018, enabling the financing of 500 researchers a year, of which 30 percent are foreigners.
“We will be intensified efforts to attract talents from the United States. We want them to do the best possible learning, free from ideological restrictions. Scientific and technological knowledge makes us a better country because it generates common prosperity and vision of the future,” said Cigudosa in a statement for the Spanish International Information Agency EFE after announcement of the EFE program.
This story originally appeared Wired in Spanish and was translated from Spanish.