It’s no secret that the United States is losing talented scientists but why aren’t the UK and Europe doing more to take advantage of the opportunity, demands Rafael E Carazo Salas.
Europe is facing a once-in-ageneration opportunity to capture the world’s intellectual capital. The US has long been seen as the key, default destination for global scientific talent to be located.
However, changes in immigration policy and dramatic cuts in scientific funding including from the NSF and NIH are making it hard for American and international scientists to plan their future there. For Europe and the UK this presents a prime opportunity to attract talent and the world’s best minds. But to do so, action is needed now.
Large-scale frameworks such as Horizon Europe already offer a powerful foundation for advancing scientific discovery, with nearly €95 billion allocated over seven years to support research and innovation. The priority should be ensuring these funds are used strategically to help integrate global talent into Europe’s research ecosystem.
The UK has an opportunity to step up efforts and become a natural destination for that talent, as government funding for science and innovation is gaining momentum with nearly £13.9 billion allocated, including more than £8.8 billion directed to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). We need to see further a commitment to long-term funding, not only for scientific projects but for fellowships, labs and long-term roles that give leading researchers the tools and support they need today and in the future. It’s time to invest, invest and invest.
The world’s best researchers are watching closely, and it is clear that while science moves fast, so must policy
We also need to revamp immigration systems to make scientists’ relocation seamless. Streamlined, efficient visa pathways for highly skilled researchers must be treated as a core component of the UK’s science strategy. Talent mobility is as critical as capital mobility in driving innovation. It is ultimately always about people. We need an approach that makes it clear the region is open for science.
In areas including biotechnology, regulatory clarity is another arena in which Europe and the UK can lead. With the US FDA facing layoffs and ongoing leadership uncertainty and growing industry frustration, there is a clear need among innovators for regulatory stability.
A transparent, science-led, stable, consistent approach to European and UK drug trials and approvals and emerging therapies would not only benefit public health globally but signal to the global research community that their scientific breakthroughs will become treatments of the future.
The world’s best researchers are watching closely, and it is clear that while science moves fast, so must policy. Europe, and specifically the UK, has the opportunity to benefit from the scientific shift away from the US. Now is the time to put the funding and policy in place to establish the region as the destination where the next generation of discoveries and breakthroughs are made.
- Rafael E Carazo Salas is CEO and founder of CellVoyant
