The new wave of interest in American scientists with European research grants appears in the context of the increasingly unfriendly relationship of Donald Trump's administration to conduct scientific activities.
Europe has become a safe haven, putting emphasis on academic freedom and increasing funds available to people who want to move to the Old Continent. The consequences for America are deplorable. Where two are beating, use … Europe.
This is the success of the chairman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who personally made efforts to attract American scientists in a direct response to deep cuts of academic programs made by the Trump administration.
After World War II, thanks to the outflow of scientists from Europe, America became a scientific and technological supermarket – no other country collects more Nobel Prizes. Perhaps we are witnessing the end of this era.
Ursula von der leyenOmar Havana / Stringer / Getty Images
The European Council for Scientific Research, the EU authority responsible for financing basic research, has announced in the spring of this year that it would double the additional amount available for scientists who want to move from the United States from EUR 1 million (PLN 4 million 260,000) to 2 million (PLN 8 million 510 thousand) euros. This means that these scientists can now apply for financing in a total amount of up to 4 million 500 thousand. euro (approx. PLN 19 million 150 thousand) over a maximum of 5 years.
According to data from the last round of submitting applications, which ended at the end of August, this encouragement is very popular. 114 applications from the United States were submitted, which is an increase of 400 percent. Compared to the round in 2024, when the EU received 23 applications from the USA.
The total number of applications increased by 31 percent, from 2,000 534 to 3 thousand 329. Among them were 538 applications (for financing) from Great Britain, while in the EU the most applications came from Italy (445) and Spain (240).
“It's a great profit”
Throughout Europe, countries, regions, universities and research institutes initiated programs aimed at using financial cuts in the United States.
“Currently, there are over 70 domestic and regional initiatives aimed at attracting scientists,” said the European Commissioner for Scientific Research Ekaterina Zachariew during a meeting in Brussels in mid -September.
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As a “safe place for science” for American scientists, the French University of Aix-Marsille is advertised. The university's rector even demanded the creation of the status of “scientific refugee” in this circumstance. – What is happening in the USA today brings to mind another dark period of our history – he emphasized in an interview with Politico.
This week, the Austrian Academy of Sciences celebrated what it described as a “brain influx” directly related to the Trump administration policy in the field of scientific and academic research. She announced a reception of 25 scientists who will move from American institutions as part of a new four -year scholarship program launched in June.
– They bring new ideas, new perspectives and international contact networks – this is a great profit for Austrian science and an important impulse for the visibility of our research location abroad – said in a statement the president of the Heinz Fassmann Academy. “Thanks to Trump, we observe a brain influx.”
Scientists move not only to Europe, but also to Canada. Among the well -known characters that came from the USA to the neighboring country include American historians Timothy Snyder and Marci Shore (who is the wife of Snyder).
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