World woos scientists shunned by Trump

As President Donald Trump guts American research institutions, world leaders see a 'once-in-a-century brain gain opportunity,' writes Patricia Cohen from London

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Help Wanted: Looking for American researchers.

As President Trump cuts billions of federal dollars from science institutes and universities, restricts what can be studied and pushes out immigrants, rival nations are hoping to pick up talent that has been cast aside or become disenchanted.

For decades, trying to compete with American institutions and companies has been difficult. The United States was a magnet for top researchers, scientists and academics. In general, budgets were bigger, pay was bigger, labs and equipment were bigger. So were ambitions.

In 2024, the United States spent nearly $1 trillion — roughly 3.5% of total economic output — on research and development. When it came to the kind of long-term basic research that underpins American technological and scientific advancements, the government accounted for about 40% of the spending.

That's the reason political, education and business leaders in advanced countries and emerging economies have long fretted over a brain drain from their own shores. Now they are seizing a chance to reverse the flow.

"This is a once-in-a-century brain gain opportunity," the Australian Strategic Policy Institute declared, as it encouraged its government to act.

Last week, at the urging of more than a dozen members, the European Union announced it would spend an additional €500 million, or $556 million, over the next two years to "make Europe a magnet for researchers."

Such a sum is paltry when compared with US budgets. So it's understandable if their appeals are met with a request to "show me the money."