US Scientists Seek European Opportunities Following Trump’s Research Cuts

President Trump’s funding reductions forced David Die Dejean to leave his National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration office in Miami within 90 minutes. The Spanish-born tuna researcher is eager to receive his next study chances from European companies. The Spanish researcher, Die Dejean, wants to work wherever research is allowed so he can continue his studies. “The EU’s upcoming steps bring me the science opening I need to return home as an expert researcher.”

Trump administration officials state these budget cuts are essential to control federal debt, yet European politicians welcome this chance to recruit notable researchers. The EU Commissioner must take immediate steps to attract scientific specialists from Europe and North America according to 13 European countries that include top nation figures. The European Research Council enhances its relocation support to 2 million euros per applicant, and the new German administration wants to bring in up to 1000 researchers.

However, significant challenges remain for Europe to match America’s research investment:

• EU research and development spending totaled 381 billion euros in 2023, compared to $940 billion in the US
• Harvard University’s endowment of $53.2 billion dwarfs Oxford’s 8.3 billion pounds
• Language barriers, unfamiliar laws, and typically lower salaries remain obstacles for potential transplants