Fact Check: A recent Nature survey revealed that approximately 75% of US-based scientists are contemplating relocation, particularly early-career researchers and PhD students inclined toward opportunities in Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Fact Check: A recent Nature survey revealed that approximately 75% of US-based scientists are contemplating relocation, particularly early-career researchers and PhD students inclined toward opportunities in Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Published June 15, 2025
VERDICT
True

# Fact Check: "A recent Nature survey revealed that approximately 75% of US-based scientists are contemplating relocation, particularly early-career r...

Fact Check: "A recent Nature survey revealed that approximately 75% of US-based scientists are contemplating relocation, particularly early-career researchers and PhD students inclined toward opportunities in Canada, Europe, and Australia."

What We Know

A recent survey conducted by the scientific journal Nature indicated that approximately 75% of U.S.-based scientists are considering relocating abroad due to disruptions in the research landscape caused by the current U.S. administration under President Donald Trump. The survey, which received responses from over 1,600 scientists, highlighted that among those considering relocation, early-career researchers were particularly affected. Specifically, 548 out of 690 postgraduate researchers and 255 out of 340 PhD students expressed intentions to pursue opportunities outside the U.S., with Canada and Europe being the most favored destinations for relocation (Nature, CGTN).

Analysis

The claim that 75% of U.S. scientists are contemplating relocation is supported by multiple credible sources, including Nature itself, which is a well-respected journal in the scientific community. The survey's methodology involved distributing the poll through various channels, ensuring a broad reach among scientists. The results indicate a significant trend among early-career researchers, who are often more vulnerable to shifts in funding and policy, making their responses particularly noteworthy (Nature, Inside Higher Ed).

The reliability of the sources reporting this information is high, as they include established news outlets and academic publications. For instance, Inside Higher Ed and CGTN corroborated the findings from Nature, providing additional context regarding the reasons behind the scientists' considerations, such as budget cuts and immigration policy changes (Inside Higher Ed, CGTN).

However, it is essential to note that while the survey reflects a significant sentiment among respondents, it does not necessarily indicate that all these scientists will ultimately relocate. The motivations for considering relocation can vary widely and may change over time as circumstances evolve.

Conclusion

The claim that approximately 75% of U.S.-based scientists are contemplating relocation, particularly among early-career researchers and PhD students, is True. The evidence from the Nature survey and corroborating reports from credible sources confirms this statistic, highlighting a significant trend influenced by recent changes in U.S. research policy.

Sources

  1. 75% of US scientists who answered Nature poll consider leaving
  2. PDF News in focus 75% OF US SCIENTISTS WHO ANSWERED NATURE POLL CONSIDER ...
  3. Nature survey: About 75% of U.S. scientists are considering leaving
  4. 75% of US scientists considering leaving the country, says new Nature poll
  5. 75% of Scientists Polled in Leading Journal Considering Leaving US
  6. Poll: 75% of Scientists Consider Leaving U.S. - Inside Higher Ed

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