Spain attracts US scientists with €45 million funding initiative

The Spanish government has unveiled a €45 million initiative aimed at enticing US-based researchers disillusioned by the Trump administration to relocate their work to Spain.

Amidst rising discontent within the American scientific community, approximately 2,000 researchers recently signed an open letter expressing concerns about the potential loss of global leadership and disruptions to vital projects. This discontent has been exacerbated by significant cuts to federal funding and threats from the Trump administration to penalize institutions that support pro-Palestinian protests, leading many scientists to contemplate moving abroad.

In response, Spain's government has reinforced its Atrae (Attract) program, launched in 2023, focusing on attracting experienced scientists, particularly from the United States. Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, highlighted that selected researchers will receive additional funding of €200,000 for each project they bring to Spain.

The Atrae program, with a budget increase of €15 million from previous years, aims to bolster Spain's research capabilities in key areas such as climate change, artificial intelligence, space technology, and water resource management. Since its inception, the program has facilitated the arrival of 58 researchers, with a notable 56 percent being of Spanish origin.

Morant emphasized the criteria for beneficiaries, stating they must be leaders in their fields, having conducted research abroad for at least five of the past six years or ranked among the top 10 percent globally in their specialization.

Despite the government’s optimistic outlook, challenges remain for researchers in Spain, including lower wages, lengthy processes for foreign qualification recognition, and job instability. These factors have led many Spanish scientists to seek opportunities abroad, raising questions about the long-term attractiveness of Spain as a research destination.

In a world facing critical decisions between embracing science and denying its significance, Morant lauded Spain's commitment to fostering research and development as a pathway to technological and economic growth.