US government spending on health research has reached a 10-year low, putting universities in a predicament as they are compelled to dip into their savings. This funding decline is significantly impacting companies that supply lab materials. Additionally, researchers focused on critical areas such as global health, race, gender identity, climate change, and diversity-related topics have seen their grants rescinded. In a recent Nature poll, three-quarters of US-based respondents expressed thoughts of relocating due to the challenging academic landscape, simultaneously creating a potential opportunity for the European Union to attract these researchers.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of diversity in science, referring to it as a global good that must be protected. Her remarks at La Sorbonne University highlight a growing acknowledgment in Europe regarding the potential exodus of talent from the United States. Notably, data from a Bruegel analysis indicates that in 2024, the US accounted for 36% of all highly cited researchers, contrasting with 21% from China and 19% from the EU (including Switzerland and Norway). While the EU holds onto a significant share of its talent, it remains a crucial exporter of researchers, many of whom have pursued their education in the US.
Among US-based highly cited researchers from prestigious institutions like Harvard and Princeton, approximately 7.7% earned their PhDs in the EU, showcasing the interconnectedness of global academic talent. Moreover, around 24% of these influential researchers hold qualifications from international institutions, reinforcing the importance of a diverse educational background. Factors influencing researchers’ decisions to leave their home countries include family ties, personal ambitions, and career opportunities, illustrating the complex motivations behind such relocations.
Salary disparities present a substantial barrier to researchers considering a shift to Europe. Prominent scholars in the United States earn salaries ranging from $500,000 to over $1 million annually, while top European academics, like those at Spain’s Complutense University, earn no more than approximately €77,122. This financial divide demonstrates the challenges European institutions face in wooing US talent despite other attractive conditions and benefits inherent in the EU academic environment.
Initiatives like “Choose Europe,” which feature a €500 million package designed to lure researchers to Europe, aim to smooth the transition for international academics. Efforts to dismantle barriers for international students and researchers are also underway and could yield significant results over time. Notably, Provence-Aix Marseille University recently experienced a surge of applications from US-based researchers following the announcement of its Safe Place For Science program that plans to attract funding and host about 15 researchers. Yet, the most desirable overseas destinations among US graduates looking to relocate remain the UK and Canada, illustrating that immediate shifts in the research landscape may be complex and gradual.
The Bruegel analysis underscores that life-changing career moves require time, offering caution against expecting an instantaneous mass exodus from the US. Although current funding challenges and grant terminations have sparked discussions about relocation, establishing new academic lives abroad may not happen overnight. As institutions and governments work to enhance their attractiveness, the evolving dynamics of academic research may lead to gradual yet lasting changes in the global talent landscape.
