The Trump administration's all-out attack on top American universities like Harvard has created unprecedented opportunities for global universities to compete for American research elites.
On May 24, media reports indicated that Trump's hardline policies towards top universities like Harvard are sparking a global talent competition. The German Minister of Culture publicly invited Harvard to establish an 'exile campus' in Germany, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology promised to accept all international students from Harvard, and the EU is investing €500 million to attract American research talent.
Reports indicate that German Federal Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer has openly extended an olive branch to Harvard.
To students from Harvard and other American universities, I want to say that Germany warmly welcomes you.
Recently, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology also issued an invitation, stating that it welcomes all international students studying at Harvard to continue their education in Hong Kong. These moves are not coincidental but rather the direct result of systematic attacks on higher education policy since Trump took office.
Reports indicate that about half of the graduate students in STEM fields in the U.S. come from abroad, while foreign scholars are increasingly concerned about becoming targets of visa crackdowns. In February of this year, Harvard Medical School's Russian biologist Kseniia Petrova was detained at the U.S. border for failing to properly declare frog embryos and is still fighting against deportation.
It is noteworthy that on Friday, Harvard achieved a significant victory in its struggle against Trump. Harvard won a temporary court injunction that prevents the Trump administration from prohibiting Harvard from enrolling international students. This temporary injunction will remain in effect until the court makes a decision on Harvard's application for a longer-term injunction, with a hearing scheduled for May 29.
Reports emphasize that no institution has faced more intense attacks than Harvard. The U.S. government has cut at least $2.6 billion in funding to the school, threatened its nonprofit status, and demanded greater oversight of academic programs, admissions, and hiring practices.
Trump has targeted elite institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton under the guise of protecting Jewish students, claiming these schools failed to effectively address pro-Palestinian protests on campus following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
Europe is spending heavily to attract talent, but the funding gap remains the biggest obstacle.
In the face of this opportunity, European countries are acting quickly.
Reports indicate that the EU has launched a €500 million ($569 million) plan this month to attract foreign researchers. France has committed €100 million to transform the country into a scientific safe haven, Spain has allocated an additional €45 million for recruiting top scholars, and the UK plans to introduce a similar scheme worth £50 million (€59 million).
Reports citing a March survey by Nature magazine show that among over 1,600 U.S. researchers, three-quarters are considering applying for jobs abroad. European universities report receiving numerous inquiries from American scholars.
However, the funding gap remains the biggest obstacle. Harvard has a $53 billion endowment, and even the poorest Ivy League schools have far more resources than non-U.S. institutions.
Seth Marder, a materials chemist at the University of Colorado Boulder, admitted that relocating a laboratory would require equipment costs of $2-3 million.
From a practical perspective, their salaries and American research experience are difficult to match with the European pay structure.
Reports suggest that considering Europe's lower average salaries and historically less research funding, Antoine Petit, director of the French National Center for Scientific Research, is cautious about 'poaching talent.'
We are talking about the movement of a few individual researchers, perhaps dozens, but not more.
Senior researchers in France typically earn no more than €5,000 net per month, which is far below American levels. French scientist Molly stated that although income will drop from $6,100 in the U.S. to less than €4,000, the lower cost of living in Europe can offset part of the gap.
The ultimate result of this battle for academic talent will largely determine the focus of global research and innovation over the next decade.
