US scientists relocate to Finland as Trump cuts research funding

Delays in federal grants and new political controls have prompted several American scientists to accept positions abroad, with Finland offering stable funding and academic freedom.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:15:01 GMT

American researchers, including marine biologist Halley Froehlich, have left the United States for Finnish universities after the Trump administration altered federal research funding and increased political oversight, according to Independent and Fortune.

What happened

Over the past two years, Froehlich packed her household and moved with her husband and daughter to the University of Helsinki, where she now studies the response of fish, shellfish and seaweed to climate change. She says delayed federal grants and uncertainty about future funding motivated the relocation. Similar moves have been reported among other U.S. scientists, though exact numbers are not quantified.

What the reports add

Both outlets note that foreign universities have created programs to attract U.S. researchers by promising stable funding streams and greater academic freedom. The Independent highlights that university vice‑presidents for research are reporting the loss of one or two top faculty members each, a comment echoed by Fortune. The White House spokesperson Liz Huston is quoted as defending the administration’s actions, saying they are ending certain practices, though the full statement is truncated in both sources.

What was said

Tobin Smith, senior vice president of government relations and public policy for the Association of American Universities, told the Independent, “You can almost talk to any vice president for research at a university and they will tell you of one or two top faculty that they’ve lost.” Fortune attributes the same quotation to Smith. White House spokesperson Liz Huston said President Trump is “ending …” (the remainder of the quote is not provided in the source material).

How it came about

The shift follows the Trump administration’s decision last year to dismantle parts of the federal grant‑giving process and to seek greater political influence over funded projects. This policy change created uncertainty for researchers reliant on federal money, prompting foreign institutions, especially in Europe, to launch recruitment drives. Felo previously covered the administration’s broader policy moves, including the $810 million pocket rescission affecting research funding (see Trump’s $810M Pocket Rescission Sparks Bipartisan Outrage).

Key facts

Halley Froehlich moved from the United States to the University of Helsinki to continue climate‑impact research. (independent.co.uk)
The Trump administration dismantled parts of the federal grant‑giving process and increased political oversight of research projects. (fortune.com)
University vice‑presidents for research report losing one or two top faculty members each due to the funding changes. (independent.co.uk)
Foreign universities have launched programs offering stable funding and academic freedom to attract U.S. scientists. (fortune.com)
White House spokesperson Liz Huston said President Trump is ending certain practices related to research funding. (fortune.com)