Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
More and more US-based researchers are moving to Spain, as budget cuts and new US political controls on science push academics to seek funding and independence overseas..
As uncertainty grows in the American scientific system due to President Donald Trump’s political changes and funding cuts, a growing number of scientists in the United States have applied to move their research from the United States to Spain.
The Ministry of Science in Spain and the State Research Agency report that 33,5% of the Atrae talents programme applications came from US researchers.
The Atrae programme offers established international scientists around €1 million each to set up research teams at Spanish universities and centres.
READ MORE: Santiago Calatrava celebrates the 25th anniversary of his futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia.
The first year of the programme (2023) saw no funding awarded to researchers based in the United States.
In 2024 16 percent of selected candidates would be employed in the US.
By 2025, this figure will rise to 32%.
The latest round selected 37 scientists, 21 of whom were already working in American academic institutions when they applied.
This increase coincides with growing concerns in the US scientific community about new federal policies.
One of the most criticised measures is the 2025 executive order known as ‘Restoring Gold Standard Science’.
The order gives political appointees more control over the way scientific findings are reviewed and presented in federal decisions.
Researchers are also concerned about the significant budget reductions that have affected agencies such as National Science Foundation.
Research in biomedicine, climate sciences and space exploration has been affected by funding freezes and grant cancelations.
READ MORE: Voices heard: Protesters vowing against mega-project of golf on last virgin area of the Costa del Sol
Scientists from the US have said that these measures create uncertainty in regards to long-term funding, academic independence and other aspects.
The Atrae programme is used by Spain to attract researchers looking for stable funding with fewer political restrictions.
The grants will help scientists to establish research laboratories in cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Oviedo.
The initiative, according to Spanish authorities, aims at strengthening the national research system through the attraction of internationally recognised talent.
As conditions in the United States are changing, more researchers may be considering moving their work to Europe.
Click here to read the latest Spain News at The Olive Press.
