"Top researchers who want to leave the US": Pressure on science – Trump's policies have consequences for Bavaria

Merkur "Top researchers who want to leave the US": Pressure on science – Trump's policies have consequences for Bavaria Leoni Billina • 16 hours • 3 minutes read "We're looking closely" Trump's administration has declared war on universities – this could also have an impact on research institutions in Bavaria. Universities in the US are expecting massive cuts from the Donald Trump administration. This could also have an impact on research institutions in Bavaria. Munich – The Donald Trump administration has declared war on universities in the US. Interference with academic freedom, the attempt to abolish the Department of Education – and the threat of massive cuts, many US scientists are considering leaving the country or have already done so. But the Trump administration could also have an impact on Bavarian universities. Pressure on researchers in the USA also impacts universities in Bavaria "For the Max Planck Society, the USA is the most important cooperation partner; one in four publications is produced in collaboration with researchers in the USA," explains Christina Beck, spokesperson for the Max Planck Institute in Munich, upon request. "This means that the Max Planck Institutes could also be indirectly affected by the drastic cuts in environmental and health research, because the cuts affect their cooperation partners." Nevertheless, Bavarian research institutions also see potential opportunities arising from developments in the USA. "I can very well imagine that the new, restrictive US policy will cause many researchers to consider relocating. At TUM, we are naturally always interested in top international talent," says Prof. Thomas Hofmann, President of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). "Given the increasingly difficult situation in the USA, we are currently looking intensively." Pressure on Science: More Applications from the USA to Bavarian Universities The fact that some researchers are seeking a path out of the USA is also evident in applications to TUM. "Our Institute for Advanced Studies offers twelve places and received 63 applications this year – including an exceptionally high number from the USA," says TUM spokesperson Ulrich Meyer when asked. Another program, Global Visiting Professorship, has also seen a significantly higher number of US applicants this year. Beck also observes a similar development: "We have indeed received a number of inquiries from top researchers who may want to leave the USA." Furthermore, they have just launched a call for applications for a new postdoc program. "Here, we may see an increase in the number of applicants from the USA, but also an increase in those applicants who now prefer Europe rather than going to the USA." US administration sends questionnaires to European universities – TU also expects this Meanwhile, universities in Europe are receiving mail from the US administration. Researchers receiving US funding are required to complete questionnaires, for example, to confirm that their projects have nothing to do with diversity, equality, inclusion, or climate research, according to Science Management Online. "We haven't received any such questionnaires yet, but we certainly expect that they could come," explains Meyer. (By the way: Our Bavaria newsletter informs you daily about all the important stories from Bavaria. Register now after a short registration with our media login USER.ID.) Bavarian politicians are also reacting to the developments in the USA. In February, the Green Party submitted a motion to the state parliament: In it, they call on the state government to establish a special program for researchers whose work is hindered by restrictions on academic freedom and who therefore want to come to Germany. Green Party motion in the Bavarian state parliament "Bavaria, as a center of science, must provide a home for academic freedom," said Verena Osgyan, spokesperson for science for the Green Party in the state parliament. And: “Instead of just babbling about laptops and lederhosen and cutting ribbons, Prime Minister Söder could demonstrate here how to make a science location attractive worldwide.”