The European Union and France on Monday announced half a billion euros worth of incentives to lure scientists to the continent, seeking to profit from U.S. President Donald Trump's federal funding cuts and clashes with top U.S. universities.

Von der Leyen announced the 500 million euros ($566.6 million) incentive package and said she also wanted EU member states to invest 3% of gross domestic product in research and development by 2030.

"We could well see a reverse brain drain...not just to Europe, but scholars are moving to Canada and Asia as well."

There's no "giant sucking sound" yet, but this certainly has the potential to become one.

tags: science politics eu europe

posted by matt in Monday, May 5, 2025