Norway seeks to attract global researchers amid US academic cuts
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The Research Council of Norway introduces a 100m kroner initiative to recruit international researchers amid growing concerns over academic freedom in the US under the Trump administration.
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Pro-Palestine demonstrators gather for a mock trial against the University of Michigan's Board of Regents on the university's campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on April 21, 2025 (AFP)
Norway has launched a bold new initiative aimed at recruiting top international researchers, responding to growing concerns over academic freedom in the United States under the Trump administration, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.
The Norway academic freedom initiative was unveiled on Wednesday, as the Nordic country seeks to position itself as a haven for scholars affected by funding cuts and policy changes abroad.
Following similar moves by European institutions, the Research Council of Norway announced a 100 million kroner (£7.2 million) fund designed to make international researchers' recruitment easier and more attractive.
Although the initiative is open globally, the decision to accelerate the scheme was influenced by recent actions in the US, where the Trump administration has implemented major cuts affecting the academic sector.
The announcement precedes a high-level visit to the White House by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO Secretary-General.
Focus areas: Climate, health, energy, and AI
Norway’s Minister for Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland, emphasized the importance of taking action during challenging times for academic independence.
“It is important for Norway to be proactive in a demanding situation for academic freedom. We can make a difference for outstanding researchers and important knowledge, and we want to do that as quickly as possible," she stressed.
Aasland pointed out that “academic freedom is under pressure in the US, and it is an unpredictable position for many researchers in what has been the world’s leading knowledge nation for many decades.”
The Research Council of Norway plans to issue a call for proposals next month, focusing on critical areas such as climate change, public health, energy, and artificial intelligence. The Norway academic freedom initiative is set to continue over several years, with the current funding allocated through 2026.
European universities compete to attract US-based academics
Mari Sundli Tveit, Chief Executive of the Research Council, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the program was particularly relevant to the situation facing American academics, noting that "academic freedom is under pressure and funding is being cut.”
Other European countries have also responded to the situation in the US. In France, nearly 300 academics applied to Aix-Marseille University after it extended offers to US-based researchers. Former French President Francois Hollande has advocated for the creation of a "scientific refugee" status to protect scholars facing political and financial pressures.
Similarly, Belgium’s Vrije Universiteit Brussel has introduced postdoctoral positions specifically for American researchers, and the Netherlands has signaled plans to launch its own fund to attract talent from abroad.
Read more: Harvard files lawsuit against Trump administration over funding cuts
