Global Nations Seize Opportunity as U.S. Research Leadership Wanes

Job Opportunity: Seeking American researchers.

As President Donald Trump cuts billions in federal funding for scientific institutes and universities, restricts research topics, and tightens immigration policies, rival nations are positioning themselves to attract talent that has been sidelined or discouraged.

For many years, competing with U.S. institutions and companies has been a challenge. The United States stood as a magnet for the best researchers, scientists, and academics, offering larger budgets, higher salaries, and superior laboratories and equipment. The ambitions in the U.S. research ecosystem were equally vast.

In 2024, the United States allocated nearly $1 trillion—about 3.5 percent of its total economic output—to research and development. Regarding the type of long-term basic research that underpins American technological and scientific breakthroughs, the government contributed approximately 40 percent of the total expenditure.

This context explains why political, educational, and business leaders in advanced and emerging economies have long been concerned about brain drain from their own countries. Today, they are seizing the moment to reverse this trend and attract top talent.