With so much uncertainty around higher education, some faculty and staff have begun considering leaving their jobs or moving to other countries due to the changing political climate, reductions in research funding, or for their own personal reasons. This mass exodus not only involves American citizens but has extended to postgraduate researchers from foreign countries. Coupled with mass firings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Science Foundation, U.S. Geological Survey and the National Institutes of Health, career professionals, faculty, staff and students are beginning to reappraise their interest in being part of the U.S. governmental and educational research environment. This generates many lingering questions for higher education: Can institutions find their footing in this new political environment? Can higher education provide tangible benefits to the Trump administration that have yet to be clearly communicated and demonstrated? What risks does this brain drain pose for the U.S., and what benefits does it provide to both friendly and unfriendly nations?
BRAIN DRAIN IS WORLDWIDE
The recent flurry of brain drain or massive migration did not happen overnight. As explained in January 2023 by the Canadian publication University Affairs, “Brain drain, defined as the massive migration — whether voluntary or forced, and therefore without hope of return — of the intellectual elite of a country, is an ancient phenomenon.” At the start of World War II, many researchers and scientists left Germany to avoid political persecution or worse. More recently, this brain drain phenomenon appeared at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as scientists and researchers fled Ukraine to neighboring countries in Europe.
U.S. BRAIN DRAIN ACCELERATES IN 2025
In January 2025, President Donald Trump issued over 20 executive orders, focusing on immigration and international students; undocumented students; federal funding; diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives; Title IX (which prohibits sex discrimination) and gender-related policies; and sustainability and environmental programs. As the American Council on Education reported in January, “Unlike the more chaotic rollout of executive orders in 2017, which faced widespread legal challenges and reversals, this time the administration appears more prepared. Many policies are structured to withstand court scrutiny, often including severability clauses so that if parts are struck down, other provisions remain in effect.” Some of these actions affect programs, faculty, staff and students aligned with traditional STEM disciplines. Senior scientists and researchers were quick to see potential cuts in employment, funding and research grants.
What occurred in the U.S. higher-education system became important news around the world. In a news article last week, "Global Science Bodies Pivot to Capitalize on U.S. Brain Drain," the trade publication Chemical & Engineering News pointed out, “As U.S. federal funding cuts and layoffs drive some researchers out of the nation, institutions in other countries are pivoting to position themselves as a refuge for top scientific talent.”
FOREIGN COUNTRIES RECRUITING U.S. EMPLOYEES
In a poll of 1,608 readers conducted by Nature magazine this year, approximately 75 percent indicated they were U.S. researchers who were considering leaving the country after disruptive actions by the Trump administration. Nature staff writer Alexandra Witze explained, “Many respondents were looking to move to countries where they already had collaborators, friends, family, or familiarity with the language. ‘Anywhere that supports science,’ wrote one respondent. Some who had moved to the United States for work planned to return to their country of origin.” The potential migration is not limited only to established or senior researchers, as students are equally affected. Witze went on to say, “But many more scientists had not planned on relocating, until Trump began gutting funding and firing researchers. ‘This is my home — I really love my country,’ says a graduate student at a top U.S. university who works in plant genomics and agriculture. ‘But a lot of my mentors have been telling me to get out, right now.'”
Throughout Europe, interest is growing to attract scientists, researchers and students. The international education publication The PIE News reported earlier this month, “France’s Université Paris-Saclay is one of dozens of European institutions ramping up efforts to host more American scientists fleeing research cuts and threats to academic freedom in the U.S.” Not all friendly countries are trying to recruit U.S. employees. Reuters recently reported that the National Counterintelligence and Security Center is warning that China is actively trying to recruit U.S. government employees.
HOW CAN HIGHER ED RESPOND?
While it might be hard to argue against the need for efficiency and transparency, there are strategies that might help convince the Trump administration of the benefits of higher education and the potential dangers of losing the nation's best and brightest minds. Just as some large-business leaders have publicly catered and lobbied to administrative officials and politicians, higher education may have to find new strategies and communication channels to tout the importance of education to the country’s business and economic assets. Keeping the best scientists and researchers makes the U.S. more of a global leader. In addition, higher education is an important pillar of our country’s national security. Students who are focused on STEM-related fields provide a consistent stream of talented professionals in computer science, engineering, medicine, technology, information security and many more fields. Whether these students apply their expertise and knowledge to the public or private sector, the U.S. can greatly benefit from their training.
Driving senior scientists and researchers to leave the profession or the country, while simultaneously stifling the training and development of students in these fields, could put our country at a distinct global disadvantage. Reversing this trend may be an arduous task, but making no strategic attempt to change the situation could cause economic and national security catastrophe. The key for higher education is to garner advocacy from their political representatives and make the case for their importance to the federal government. It will be an uphill battle. As Nelson Mandela once said, “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” You just have to start climbing.
