NOVA medical school hopes to attract disgruntled US researchers

NOVA Medical School – Faculty of Medical Sciences announced on Monday the launch of a programme to “attract international researchers of excellence”, which has initial funding of 2 million euros, said the faculty’s director.

Speaking to the Lusa news agency, Helena Canhão said that applications for the NOVA Medical Global Talent Initiative will open next week, when the regulations will be finalised and the forms available, with “wide dissemination” internationally.

She explained that the programme was being launched now, given the situation in the United States, whose government, led by President Donald Trump, has cut research funding. However, it is also open to researchers from other countries.

“We know that there is discontent in the United States about some lines of research, particularly in the area of health, and that some of these scientists – some may even be Portuguese or European, not necessarily American – may be interested in coming to work in Europe and Portugal,” he said, recalling that both European and national leaders have mentioned a possible brain drain from the US.

“So this is an opportunity for us to show leadership in this movement to attract and retain talent, bringing people to Portugal who can help with research, improving health and affirming Portugal as a centre of attraction for international scientists and doctors who excel in their fields and who can help our country and the population.”

The funding for the programme, which is supported by the Haddad NOVA Medical Innovation Centre, takes into account the researchers’ salaries “for three years” and support for “accommodation for six months”, relocation, and setting up their work team. However, for the programme “to be sustainable,” it will be necessary to get “other support” afterwards.

The “researchers, doctors, people working in the health field” who apply will have to work in priority areas for the Nova Medical School, such as global health, mental health, cancer, artificial intelligence, technology, nutrition.

“We want to affirm NOVA Medical School as an international platform for scientific excellence, capable of attracting the best talent and generating knowledge with a global impact,” says Helena Canhão, quoted in a statement, adding that the programme “is a key part” of the school’s “internationalisation strategy” and “strengthening the health innovation ecosystem in Portugal”.

Cláudio Haddad, president of the Haddad Foundation, emphasised the initiative’s strategic importance, considering that “investment in science is essential for tackling the major challenges facing global health”.

“With this programme, we want to help Portugal become a beacon of scientific excellence and innovation, capable of rivalling the best international centres,” he said in the same press release.

The NOVA University of Lisbon medical school has existed for 45 years and has a network of more than 25 health centres.

According to the scientific journal Nature, 75% of US scientists are considering leaving the country, after the Trump administration cut research funding and interrupted “major areas of federally funded science as part of a cost-cutting initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk”.

On 17 April, the University of Aix-Marseille in France announced the arrival in early June of the first US researchers who responded to its call to transfer those whose academic freedom could be threatened by Donald Trump’s policies.

The university explained in a statement that it had received “298 applications, of which 242 were eligible” and among these, the majority came from US citizens (135) or those with dual nationality (45).