Recent cuts to scientific research by the Trump administration have caused some scientists to consider employment opportunities outside of the U.S. The cutbacks in grants that could jeopardize labs at major universities, have created an opening for universities abroad to recruit established American scientists.
In May of 2025, President Donald Trump proposed cutting the funding to the National Institute of Health (NIH) by 40 percent. In the same budget plans for 2026, it was suggested to cut the National Science Foundation (NSF) by 55 percent. However, these proposals were rejected and lessened by Congress.
The Trump administration submitted the federal budget proposal for 2026 to Congress, describing plans to cut scientific funding overall by nearly 22 percent. Between $3.3 and $3.7 billion, which would normally be spent on research for more than 600 universities, would be taken away.
“This is such a shame,” said Crystal Wei ’26, Biomed Program student researcher. “The U.S. has been known for being a land of opportunities. The research cuts go against this idea, and really distorts the goal of this country.”
Additionally, many staff members of federal science agencies have been laid off. Alongside these mass layoffs, grants that provide these scientists with funding have been suspended, and sometimes even proposed to be completely cut. Universities warn that these cuts could halt the studying of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer.
Elizabeth Walsh ’26 said, “Not only does it set us back as a country in the race for scientific discoveries, but also to science as a whole. Causing research to halt is unfortunate for the entire scientific community.”
The uncertainty for researchers in the U.S. creates space for other countries to try and recruit those who are willing to leave. Universities in Europe are receiving an increase in applications from researchers based in the U.S., according to pbs.org.
Many European countries are providing an incentive for researchers to immigrate by increasing their funds. China has also increased their funds, and introduced systems like the “K Visa,” which allows young STEM researchers to learn and work in the country.
These changes in funding for science research, combined with changes to campus DEI policies, and other compromises in curriculum have led some researchers to consider work abroad.
Doctoral researcher Dr. Caroline Gochoco-Tsuyuki, gave her take on the situation, commenting, “I’m a big fan of government funded research, but sometimes the money is best allocated elsewhere.”
