Against the backdrop of an increasingly anti‑scientific climate under President Donald Trump, interest from international scientists in Germany has surged, a survey of premier German research societies indicates.
The Humboldt Foundation alone saw a 32 % rise in U.S. applications to its funding programmes last year compared with the previous year. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the number of U.S. applications doubled the figure in the comparable quarter. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) recorded a similarly sharp increase: the “Study Scholarships in Germany” cohort doubled from 204 to 427 applicants, while the “RISE Germany” programme grew by 31 % from 1,584 to 2,071. The “Research Scholarships in Germany” also rose, from 76 to 88 proposals.
The Leibniz Association reports that certain institutes have received a higher volume of U.S. applications. The German Research Foundation (DFG) notes that, during international conferences, there is an “enormous informational interest” by foreign scientists in funding opportunities, though it cannot provide precise figures. The Max Planck Society observes a “significant interest from U.S. nationals currently working here” with many wishing to remain in Germany or Europe-a trend the spokesperson said has changed markedly compared to earlier years.
The Helmholtz Association does not monitor application figures; it tracks researchers employed in the U.S. who hold U.S. citizenship. Development trends here are slower. In 2025, the association registered a modest 11 % increase in scientists on long‑term stays, while the number of U.S. visiting scholars fell 17 %. Finally, the Fraunhofer Society, when asked, stated that the U.S. has lost attractiveness as a pull factor for scientific talent, a shift that benefits Europe overall and Germany in particular. It does not have up‑to‑date numbers to substantiate this claim.
Most research societies also report a growing interest from other regions, notably China and India. The stricter visa regulations imposed by the U.S. government in September of the previous year are thought to be contributing to this shift.