From HuffPost · · 1m 20s
Researchers Leaving U.S. Due To Trump Funding Cuts
Trump's science funding cuts drive researchers to foreign universities.
In brief
Trump's science funding cuts drive researchers to foreign universities. Over half of American states lost scientists to recruitment programs abroad after Trump administration cut federal grants and politicized research funding. Originally reported by HuffPost.
Halley Froehlich's Move
Halley Froehlich moved from u.s. to finland after federal grants delayed and climate research concerns.
“The cumulative effect of those things ultimately ended up making us really serious about, I don’t think here is our home anymore”
Trump Administration Changes
Trump administration dismantled federal grant process and politicized research funding last year.
“Trump is ending waste and is committed to keeping America the world leader in scientific innovation, and that means funding real science”
Scientists Leaving Trend
Over half of american states lost scientists to recruitment programs abroad since trump funding cuts.
“You can almost talk to any vice president for research at a university and they will tell you of one or two top faculty that they’ve lost”
Physics Graduates Leaving
Physics ph.d. graduates left u.s. at highest rate in 30 years after trump funding cuts.
“Physics Ph.D. graduates in 2025 left the U.S. at the highest rate in 30 years”
International Scientists Leaving
International researchers who were drawn to u.s. for science reputation now seek other countries.
“It used to be the shining city on the hill where we all want to go”
Christine Stawitz's Experience
Christine Stawitz left u.s. noaa for uk after being asked to remove climate change references.
“People talk about the U.S. at conferences in the U.K. now like, I don’t know what’s going on there. It’s not good”
James Letts and Maria Maldonado
James Letts and Maria Maldonado moved from u.c. davis to australia after grant uncertainty.
“All I want to do is do great science and make discoveries, but I want my work to mean something as well. And the opportunity to do that seemed very difficult in the U.S.”
Nobel Prize Winners Leaving
Forty percent of u.s. science nobel prizes won by immigrants leaving u.s. for other countries.
“Omar Yaghi, a 2025 Nobel Prize winner for chemistry, left his post at the University of California, Berkeley this year to direct an artificial intelligence lab at China’s Tsinghua University”
Consequences Of Talent Drain
U.s. scientific talent drain may take decade to affect next generation of scientists.
“What is one of my pieces of advice to that young man? Next year, look in Canada”
The key point
Over half of American states lost scientists to recruitment programs abroad after Trump administration cut federal grants and politicized research funding.
