Catalonia launches €30m scheme to attract US researchers limited by Trump's policies

The Catalan president, Salvador Illa, announced that his government will launch a €30 million scheme focused on appealing to those researchers working in the USA who "can see their academic freedom restricted."

Catalonia Talent Bridge will offer over 70 positions with the "only condition" of being a way to welcome "high-quality" scientists who feel limited by US president Donald J. Trump's policies, as Illa announced on Monday during an event organized by Spanish newspaper Expansión in Barcelona.

The goal is to accommodate researchers who feel threatened by the new US administration policies on science, education, and civil rights.

"If someone feels they cannot work on their talent, they can come to Catalonia. We will welcome them," Illa told attendees at the event.

The project is supported by 12 Catalan universities, and 26 scientists will already be welcomed this year. The plan is set to last until 2027 and incorporate 78 investigators to many of the research facilities in Catalonia, such as universities, research centers, or even the Synchrotron Alba, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, or the Genomic Analysis National Research Center.

Barcelona Investment Office

Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni also addressing attendees at the same event, announced the creation of the Barcelona Investment Office to look for foreign investments.

The scheme will also feature the Catalan government and many other public organizations such as the Port de Barcelona, Fira de Barcelona, Chamber of Commerce, or private groups like Barcelona Global.

Sources from the city council said that the scheme is part of an extension of the current service offered by the international businesses' desk.