In a bid to secure world-class scientific expertise, the Netherlands is establishing a new fund aimed at attracting top foreign scientists, announced Education Minister Eppo Bruins in a letter to parliament. While no specific timeline has been provided, Bruins emphasized that the fund would be operational as soon as possible to tap into the growing global demand for international research talent amid shifting geopolitical tensions.
Bruins noted, “There is currently a great global demand for international top scientific talent. At the same time, the geopolitical climate is changing, which is increasing the international mobility of scientists.” The initiative is intended to be open to scientists of all nationalities, signaling that the Netherlands is determined to position itself as a prime destination for leading researchers. This comes at a time when research funding in the U.S. is being cut, notably by President Donald Trump’s administration, which has reduced grants for several major universities.
The new fund, which will be set up in collaboration with research financier NWO, is part of a broader European effort. Other countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and Belgium have also taken steps to attract international scientific talent. In recent weeks, Prime Minister Schoof even advised against focusing recruitment solely on American scientists, advocating instead for a more diverse approach.
In the coming weeks, Bruins and NWO will determine the fund’s financial parameters and eligibility criteria, with the ambition of bringing several dozen top scientists to the Netherlands. The initiative is seen as a strategic move to counteract the ongoing brain drain, particularly as U.S. research grants are being scaled back and vetted for controversial content, potentially forcing top talent to look elsewhere.
