According to higher education experts, as the Trump administration cancels federal grants on a large scale that do not align with its policy agenda, many countries overseas are actively recruiting American researchers.

An analysis by the liberal think tank Center for American Progress shows that, as of late July, government funding for scientific research at over 600 universities has been cut by$3.3 billion to $3.7 billion. The Executive Director of the American Educational Research Association,Tabbye Chavous, said in an email that overseas institutions—especially those in Europe, China, and Canada—have noticed this trend and have stepped up recruitment of American researchers.

Chavous noted that global competition for talent was already intensifying before Trump returned to the White House last year, and the subsequent funding cuts have "strengthened our competitors."

Physics professor at the City College of New YorkMichael Lubellsaid that the loss of American scientific talent could affect national economic growth and may also weaken the country's ability to address climate change, putting the United States behind countries like China that are increasing investment in emissions reduction research.

"We are deeply concerned that if more American researchers move abroad, the country may lose its innovation edge," Chavous said.

Lubell noted that since the administration has been in office for only a short time, it is still difficult to determine how many researchers have left due to recent funding cuts. However, according to a survey conducted by the scientific journal Nature in March, among more than 1,600 scientists surveyed, about three-quarters said they are consideringleaving the United States。

"We have a lot of very talented people here, and if they can't continue their careers here, they are willing to go elsewhere," Lubell said.

Furthermore, even if researchers do not leave, government policies may push young people away from science. Lubell said: "If you're a young person, when you're basically told you're not valued, would you still want to do this?"

Many countries step up recruitment efforts

In addition to cutting research funding for specific institutions, Trump alsoissued an executive order on August 7, giving political appointees the power to approve federal grants and veto proposals that do not align with White House policy priorities. Experts say this directive undermines the long-standing U.S. practice of funding projects based on scientific merit.

Many countries are trying to take advantage of this sudden withdrawal of funding and policy changes by launching programs and dedicated funds to recruit researchers from the United States and other countries.

For example, the UK invested£54 millionin June to launch a new program aimed at attracting and supporting international researchers and teams. The European Union launched an initiative in May supported by€500 millionto attract foreign researchers. France, Germany, and the Netherlands have also each launched recruitment programs, and the Australian Academy of Science started a related initiative in April.

In its project announcement, the Australian Academy of Science said: "Australia has an urgent and unprecedented opportunity to attract top talent leaving the United States, build capability here, and nurture the next generation of scientists and innovators."

"We are deeply concerned that if more American researchers move abroad, the country may lose its innovation edge."

—Tabbye Chavous, Executive Director of the American Educational Research Association

According to Nature, Chinese government leaders are reportedly also continuing efforts to attract international researchers and graduate students, including talent from the United States. In Canada, a program launched in April by the University Health Network in Toronto has attracted scientists working in the U.S.—according to CTV News, some have moved north, and more than 600 others have expressed interest, including a Canadian-born scientist working on cancer research at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Executive partner and market leader for global education business at the executive search firm WittKieffer,Zachary Smith, said international institutions have always been interested in American research candidates, but recruitment has become easier due to new programs and funding opportunities in these countries, as well as the Trump administration's handling of higher education funding.

"They make it easier for American researchers to move internationally, obtain work visas, and secure funding," Smith said. "They are indeed seeing more American candidates applying for certain positions."

Against the backdrop of the Trump administration'svisa restrictions, many countries are also recruiting their own citizens currently working in the United States. The administration recently imposed a$100,000 feeon new H-1B visas, which universities typically use to hire foreign researchers.

But Smith said that if U.S. funding policies stabilize, researchers may have no reason to relocate their families abroad. "I don't think there will be a mass exodus, but I think many people will be closely watching overseas opportunities," he said. "It's already happening."

Uncertainty pervades

Lubell said the United States began recruiting international students into research laboratories in the late 1980s and early 1990s to fill gaps left by young physicists and mathematicians who chose Wall Street or the private sector. "People from all over the world flocked here because federal support for research was quite good, and universities welcomed them."

But Smith said the Trump administration's policies have heightened uncertainty among higher education researchers, prompting them to look for opportunities abroad. In fact, according to a survey released by CUPA-HR in September, among research-related higher education employees considering leaving, more than one-third cited job security as a primary reason—10 percentage points higher than any other sector.

CUPA-HR reported: "Given the ongoing instability of research funding and shifting institutional priorities, it is not surprising that these employees' concerns about job security have intensified."

Lubell himself is one of the researchers that overseas institutions have tried to recruit—though unsuccessfully. A few months ago, he received an email from a Chinese university asking if he was interested in helping establish a research institute. Lubell, now a professor, said he declined the position because he has already spent decades on his research career.

But Smith said that if a top American researcher is unsure whether their work can continue to be funded in the United States, and another country like the UK offers funding and resources to conduct research at prestigious institutions such as Cambridge or Oxford, they would certainly consider it seriously. "If you're a top researcher in the U.S. right now, why wouldn't you look?" Smith said.

Life sciences and biotechnology career coachDiana Andriolaworks with scientists leaving federal government jobs and academics who have been approached by international recruiters, mainly from Europe. She said many life pressures, such as quality of life and opportunities for children, are prompting researchers to consider options in the U.S. rather than abroad, and many are actively looking at jobs in the private sector at biotech or health companies in the U.S.

But the job market for researchers has always been challenging, and when funding is threatened, it does force people to make considerations they didn't have to before, she said.

What can universities do?

Andriola said U.S. universities have the opportunity to recruit top talent from other institutions or the federal government. Speeding up the hiring process can help institutions recruit these researchers, as many need to find jobs quickly. She also said institutions should proactively reach out to scientists seeking jobs and inform them of available opportunities.

Andriola said universities also need to be transparent about their plans, as uncertainty is hindering researchers from making decisions and commitments. Do they plan to cut funding in certain areas? Will they seek other sources to sustain certain research programs? Will they resist federal pressure on how they operate?

Lubell said higher education institutions can also support research by soliciting donations from wealthy alumni, philanthropists, and industry to retain researchers amid uncertain federal funding. But even so, waiting for the U.S. science landscape to change could waste valuable years for researchers. He said: "My advice is, if you get an opportunity elsewhere, take it."