Meanwhile, the Trump administration introduced drastic changes to the American science policy landscape. These changes ignited a huge global backlash—especially in the fields of earth science, weather forecasting, and medical research. In truth, the administration has tanked essential funding and resources that make scientific progress possible. Such a move would be unprecedented and has scared researchers and academics across the country. The collateral damage is staggering, even institutions like NASA and our most elite universities are on the front lines of these policies.
In 2024, the US federal government has set aside around $195 billion for research and development (R&D). The administration’s recent moves have sent up the red flags by seeking to undermine these critical institutions. Of that total, $400 million in funding was pulled from Columbia University. In the meantime, the university of Johns Hopkins incurred an $800 million cut, forcing a layoff of 2,000 workers. Their plight goes beyond US borders, impacting international academic exchanges too. Over 12,500 US citizens with Fulbright research grants abroad had their funding paused, as did 7,400 foreign scholars hosted in the US, leaving many financially stranded.
That said, there are some hopeful signs that it might break the inter-institutional logjam in favor of European institutions. The University of Aix-Marseille has implemented a creative new program titled, “Safe Place for Science.” Budgeted at €15 million, this three-year program is designed to lure 15 American scientists to its campus. This shift acknowledges Europe’s strategic ambitions to attract scientific talent away from the US through potentially greater financial rewards.
The European Union (EU) hopes to build on this momentum by filling its own R&D spending holes. While the EU's R&D expenditure lags behind that of the US, accounting for just under 0.1% of the EU's GDP with a €25 billion annual investment, there are calls for substantial increases in funding. The European Commission's research department has recommended more than doubling Horizon Europe's €95 billion seven-year budget. This ramped-up investment might just make Europe the go-to place for scientists looking to escape toxic mixtures of instability and a lack of support.
Christina Pagel, a German-British professor at University College London, succinctly characterizes the situation:
"This isn't chaos."
These developments have far-reaching implications for US and European academia alike. The American scientific community is hurting, and rapidly running out of support and resources. At the same time, European institutions exploit the opportunity to consolidate their own research landscapes by picking up these disillusioned scientists. The EU’s ability to offer significant monetary support could be one of the key factors in this transatlantic move.
Even given these issues, US universities have a major stake in maintaining a global presence, with 29 campuses across Europe. The present climate has driven a lot of scholars to seek out opportunities in other countries. Together, the impacts of halted Fulbright funding paired with the increased challenges to many international collaborations have led most researchers to search for new options.
Meanwhile, the EU is increasing its push to pipeline scientific collaboration and funding. As such, it strives to be the top destination for scientists and scholars from every corner of the earth. Europe is interested in luring scientific talent out of the US with lucrative financial packages. It creates a positive climate for research to attract researchers to its shores.