A recent poll conducted by Nature found that over 1,200 scientists in the US are considering leaving the country due to the disruptions caused by the Trump administration’s policies. The changes include slashed research funding, halted federally funded science projects, and mass firings of federal employees, including scientists. Early-career researchers are particularly affected, with many planning to relocate to countries that support science, such as Europe and Canada.
Forecast for 6 months: The number of scientists leaving the US is expected to increase, with over 2,000 scientists potentially relocating to other countries. This will lead to a brain drain in the US research sector, with a significant impact on the country’s scientific progress.
Forecast for 1 year: The Trump administration’s policies will continue to disrupt the US research sector, leading to a decline in the number of research projects and a decrease in the quality of research output. This will have a ripple effect on the US economy, with potential losses in the billions of dollars.
Forecast for 5 years: The US research sector will struggle to recover from the damage caused by the Trump administration’s policies. The country will likely lose its position as a global leader in scientific research, and other countries will fill the gap. This will have long-term consequences for the US economy and its global influence.
Forecast for 10 years: The US research sector will have undergone a significant transformation, with a shift towards private funding and a decline in government support. This will lead to a more fragmented and less collaborative research landscape, with potential consequences for the country’s scientific progress and global influence.
