The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing forward a plan to cut research subsidies from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is expected to adversely affect the finances of major universities in the United States. As American scientists find it difficult to focus on scientific research activities, some European scientists have promised funding for research in competition to attract them.
According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 24th (local time), the Free University of Brussels allocated $2.7 million (about 3.97 billion won) to recruit 12 postdoctoral researchers last week. Aix-Marseille University in France has pledged about 15 positions under the "Safe Place for Science" program, seeking to attract American scientists. It is reported that there has been significant interest in this three-year program.
This is because the Trump administration has been ramping up pressure on universities and research institutions with policies targeting diversity, stricter regulations on undocumented students, and others. Earlier, the New York Times (NYT) reported that the Trump administration announced a policy to limit indirect costs for universities and research institutions among NIH research subsidies from the existing 26% to 15% starting from September 9 of last month.
The NIH collaborates with over 2,500 universities, research institutes, and hospitals in the United States. Last year, it distributed a total of $35 billion (approximately 51.44 trillion won) in research funding, of which $9 billion (approximately 13.23 trillion won) was used for indirect costs. As a result, around $4 billion (approximately 5.88 trillion won) in research funding is expected to be cut. Indirect costs have been used for the maintenance of research facilities, laboratory operations, and equipment purchases. Although a federal court temporarily suspended the implementation of the Trump administration's research subsidy cut plan, there are widespread concerns that similar measures will be pursued by other research institutions. Consequently, American scientists have held scientific advocacy protests in dozens of cities across the country in March.
In this context, Jan Dankaert, president of the Free University of Brussels, told WP, "The U.S. academic community is currently under both financial pressure and government interference," and promised, "The faculty at the Free University of Brussels will not be subject to any form of political interference." The Free University of Brussels plans to provide 18 apartments for foreign researchers and has formed a dedicated team to assist American scientists with visa applications and guidance on living in Brussels.
European countries are also taking action at the government level. The Minister of Education of the Netherlands directed that national science research funds be established to attract international talent on the 20th. He stated in parliament, "Geopolitical changes have begun, and the movement of scientists is increasing," expressing a desire for the Netherlands to lead. Olof Scholz, spokesperson for the European Commission, emphasized in a statement on the 24th, "This scenario presents opportunities for Europe," adding that the European Union (EU) guarantees a stable and politically independent research environment while emphasizing scientific freedom. France's Minister of Research Philippe Baptiste also stated in a statement that measures are being prepared to welcome talent wishing to leave or having to leave the United States.