The Trump administration’s attacks on US academia are hurting Europe’s scientific community, even if they prompted more American researchers to relocate to or seek funding from the EU, a top official has warned.
Since taking office in 2025, President Donald Trump has cut funding to American universities and scientific research programmes deemed not in line with his policies, including on topics such as diversity and climate change. Brussels has responded with a “Choose Europe” strategy, which has led to a surge of interest from US academics applying for European grants.
“There is no silver lining to the situation in the US,” said Maria Leptin, the president of the European Research Council, the bloc’s main funding organisation for basic research.