By Kritika Agarwal and Archana Pyati
The United States is quickly losing its edge in attracting top international scientific talent, and other nations are stepping up to take advantage.
Just last week, the Canadian government said that it will spend $1.2 billion over the next few years to launch “a suite of programs that will attract leading international researchers to Canada.” The programs target both established and emerging researchers for recruitment and include funds for building research infrastructure and training awards for international doctoral and postdoctoral students. “These features will ensure Canada remains at the forefront of scientific innovation,” the government said.
Canada’s announcement comes at a time of great upheaval in the U.S. research ecosystem. While Canada did not explicitly say so, it is seeking to capitalize on several U.S. actions over the last year that have reduced its desirability as a draw for top scientific talent from around the world. Since coming into office, the Trump administration has proposed deep cuts to federal funding of scientific research, cut funding for existing research projects on topics it views as contrary to administration priorities, frozen research funding at major research universities, cut fellowships and programs for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, tried to cut spending on research infrastructure, and released several proposals to deter international talent. Canadian Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly said in a written statement, “As other countries constrain academic freedoms and undermine cutting-edge research, Canada is investing in – and doubling down on – science.”
Canadian universities and provincial governments are already actively recruiting both university-based researchers and laid off U.S. government scientists and health professionals. According to The New York Times, the University of Toronto alone has recruited several top U.S. academics this year. Canada also plans to launch an “accelerated pathway” for H-1B visa holders just as the Trump administration is making it harder for U.S. employers to hire high-skilled international workers.
Canada isn’t the only country that is benefiting from our losses. Other nations are also capitalizing on America’s brain drain and stepping up efforts to recruit highly mobile scientific talent through new investments in research, special visa and immigration programs, and cash incentives:
- Europe: In May, the European Commission announced a $565 million investment to make Europe a “magnet for researchers” over the next two years. In addition to funding, European leaders promised researchers academic freedom to promote “fundamental, free, and open research.” In France, Aix-Marseille University’s Safe Place for Science initiative received 300 applications from the United States even though it only has funding to support 15 researchers. Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and other countries have made direct pitches to U.S.-based scientists to relocate.
- China: In October, China launched what it calls a “K visa” specifically for international science and technology graduates to relocate to China to study or work. Provincial governments are heavily recruiting skilled workers and research talent through large salaries, cash bonuses, housing and health care subsidies, and other benefits. China is also making massive investments in biomedical research to attract university scientists whose grants have been terminated or scientists who have been fired from the National Institutes of Health. Universities are also aggressively wooing overseas talent, including researchers born and raised in China.
- India: The largest source of H-1B visa holders coming to the United States, India has launched the Visting Advanced Joint Research Faculty (VAJRA) program to entice scientists of Indian origin back to the country’s universities and research institutions. The government has pledged to provide start-up packages for scientists to establish labs and hire research staff while also providing general relocation and integration support to families.
The United States and its research universities have historically been a magnet for global talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, but current administration policies risk rerouting that talent away from our nation. If the United States hopes to remain at the forefront of innovation and discovery, it must reaffirm its commitment to policies that strengthen the U.S. scientific research enterprise and signal openness to top talent everywhere.
Kritika Agarwal is assistant vice president for communications and Archana Pyati is editorial and content officer at AAU.