In the 1990s, I left Portugal to become a scientist. London, then New York City — at that time, I could find the financial support and intellectual environment I needed only by moving abroad.
Today, many scientists in the United States are experiencing cuts to government research funding and face a similar reckoning. I’ve seen the evidence. I’m now back in Portugal, working as chief executive of the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) in Lisbon. In the past 2 months, more than 30 junior researchers at US institutions have written to me to ask about job opportunities — 10 times what I would normally expect.
European countries must work together to become the global destination for scientific talent.
How the United States became a science superpower — and how quickly it could crumble
Some efforts are under way. A European Union initiative offers incentives and protections to researchers affected by political instability or funding cuts. Programmes in France aim to host displaced or returning scientists.
But most of these initiatives are fragmented. A coordinated strategy is crucial to lure the brightest minds.
CERN, the European particle-physics laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland, shows what can be achieved. It was created in the 1950s by physicists, who persuaded governments to invest in shared infrastructure and long-term collaboration. Now, it involves more than 12,000 scientists and thrives thanks to stable funding, open science and a culture of international partnership.
Similarly, programmes launched in the 1990s and 2000s made Canada a global research hub. Funding for national priorities such as environmental and genomics research was paired with competitive working conditions — including fast-tracked immigration and world-class infrastructure.
And China’s Thousand Talents and Ten Thousand Talents programmes have lured thousands of scientists with generous start-up funding — often exceeding US$500,000 and guaranteed for five to ten years — as well as the promise of autonomy over their research agenda and budget.
Cuts to US science will take a generation to repair — leaders must speak up now
How can Europe emulate these successes? More funding is key. Last year, two reports recommended that the budget for the European Framework Programme, which funds research and development across the EU, be doubled, from almost €100 billion (US$112 billion) for the 2021–27 cycle to between €200 billion and €220 billion for 2028–34 (see go.nature.com/3zqdjte and go.nature.com/4mpgdgh). This would enable institutions to offer competitive salaries, state-of-the-art infrastructure and long-term career support.
