Dear US researchers: Welcome to Germany!

Mass layoffs, frozen or cut research funds, political directives — US President Donald Trump's massive attack on science is not only affecting areas he dislikes, such as climate, energy, social, or gender studies. Even forward-looking fields like AI or mRNA vaccine technologies  are being impacted.

Critics view Trump's assault on research freedom as a politically-motivated attack on the pluralistic system and the liberal democratic order. Trump, critics say, is taking aim at the scientific method of refuting claims and myths with facts and analyses.

The uncertainty created by Trump's actions is so great that many researchers want to leave the US for jobs in Canada and Asia, but especially to Europe.

Trump's attack on research damages global science

Europe, and especially Germany, would massively benefit from a "brain drain." But there is no room for gloating. Trump's unprecedented attack on science harms the entire world because research thrives on international exchange.

For example, if drug development stagnates in the US, global medical progress slows down. If data on highly infectious diseases or the avian flu currently spreading in the US are missing, the world is less prepared for a potential new pandemic.

"We must now stand in solidarity with our partners in the US because, ultimately, we need strong science in the US. Gaps that now arise in climate research, global health research, or regarding the energy transition cannot simply be closed later," said Otmar Wiestler, president of the Helmholtz Association.

"The greater the interference in science, the more intense the global consequences will be, including for the US itself," Wiestler told DW.

US researchers are interested in coming to Germany 

Trump's actions offer opportunities to attract top researchers to Europe, and European research institutions do not want to miss this chance. At the same time, they do not want to strain their traditionally good cooperation with US partners or exploit the researchers' concerns.

There are no reliable figures yet on US researchers interested in moving to Europe. However, leading German research institutions are receiving more applications from the US, including some top researchers they would love to attract.

In early February 2025, the president of the Max Planck Society, Patrick Kramer, reported that applications from the US had at least doubled, and in some cases, even tripled. 

Sought-after postdoctoral students, especially from India, South Korea, and China, also see Germany as an interesting alternative to the US, according to Christina Beck of the Max Planck Society.

"The research location Germany is fundamentally and independently of current developments an attractive alternative to the US," said Helmholtz president Wiestler. 

The Helmholtz Association, with over 46,000 employees and an annual budget of around 6.3 billion euros, is the largest German organization for promoting and financing research.

"We can therefore assume that international researchers are increasingly considering careers here as well. This does not only apply to scientists currently employed in the US but also to talented researchers worldwide who are looking for alternatives. We saw a similar trend after Brexit," said Wiestler.

Should Germany actively recruit researchers from the US?

From the perspective of the Max Planck Society, there is nothing wrong with Germany actively pursuing leading minds from the US. This opportunity should not be missed, according to Dr. Christina Beck.

Helmholtz President Wiestler disagrees: "I consider the voices now calling for active recruitment of top researchers from the US to be shortsighted. For us, the US is a particularly valuable scientific partner, and we are counting on this continuing to be the case in the future."

The Fraunhofer Society for the Advancement of Applied Research has a similar view. Fraunhofer "is always eager to attract the best minds," spokesman Patrick Dieckhoff told DW. However, "there is currently no special program to recruit US researchers in response to the current developments."

The Leibniz Association, with its 96 independent research institutions, also does not intend to actively attract researchers from the US. 

"It is of paramount importance that we intensify our cooperation now and thus support our American colleagues. Actively poaching American colleagues risks further weakening American science," Leibniz President Martina Brockmeier told DW.

However, if affected researchers wish to move, "we will be very happy to support them," said Brockmeier. 

Can German research institutions conduct top research?

Research enables innovations, generates growth, and helps address the major challenges of the present and future. Germany has already invested heavily in science and research over the past decades and plans to spend more than 3.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on research and development in the future.

The German government provides reliable financial support for science through federal and state funding. Moreover, autonomy of science is written into the constitution, ensuring that research in Germany is free and independent.

The strength of German top research is also reflected in scientific publication figures: In the "Nature Index" of 2023, which evaluates the natural science publication performance of research institutions and universities, Germany achieved the best rating in Europe and ranks third worldwide after the leaders US and China.

"There are numerous reasons to come to us, even independently of current developments," said Helmholtz President Wiestler. "The research location Germany is very well positioned for this."

Bureaucratic hurdles 

While research in Germany is internationally competitive, Brockmeier said there are bureaucratic hurdles for attracting scientists which need urgent reform.

"This includes reducing excessive bureaucracy and enabling more initiative, ensuring long-term reliable financing, increasing the attractiveness of academic careers, and facilitating technology transfer and cooperation with industry," Brockmeier said.

Helmholtz President Wiestler also calls for "a stronger welcome culture and a decisive reduction of bureaucracy in science," and the new federal government must act quickly. 

"Only in this way can we create an environment in which we can sustainably attract the best talents from all over the world," he said.

To attract US researchers, quick and uncomplicated solutions are needed, such as accelerated visa and appointment procedures, said Max Planck spokeswoman Beck. 

"The new federal government should not abolish the existing dual citizenship regulation. This regulation has already been enticing for international researchers after Brexit," Beck added.

This article was translated from the original in German.