How Oslo wants to attract US talent fleeing Trump

Local Norway

06-05-2025

Recent moves by the Trump administration have sparked alarm among US higher education leaders.
Over 500 university presidents signed a statement by the American Association of Colleges and Universities condemning "unprecedented government overreach" into academic affairs.
Budget slashes, ideological pressure, and uncertainty are driving researchers abroad, and Nordic countries are responding quickly.
READ MORE:
Nordics hope to attract US researchers alienated by Trump
Norway's international researcher recruitment efforts
The Norwegian government has made it clear that it wants to attract top international researchers to Norway.
In late April, the country's Research Council announced a new scheme to make recruiting experienced researchers from other countries easier.
"We are now giving our leading research environments the opportunity to connect with established researchers from abroad. It is important for Norway to be proactive in a demanding situation for academic freedom," Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland
said at the time.
"We can make a difference for outstanding researchers and important knowledge, and we want to do that as quickly as possible."
Aasland's remarks reflect wider Nordic efforts to position themselves as havens of academic freedom.
"Academic freedom is under pressure in the US, and it is an unpredictable position for many researchers in what has been the world's leading knowledge nation for many decades," she said.
"We have had close dialogue with the Norwegian knowledge communities and my Nordic colleagues about developments.
"It has been important for me to find good measures that we can put in place quickly, and therefore I have tasked the Research Council with prioritising schemes that we can implement within a short time," she added.
The program will be open to researchers from all over the world, and is not limited to American researchers or researchers at American universities. It will initially be worth 100 million kroner in 2026.
"The call for proposals will come in May, and will initially be linked to the Research Council's centre schemes, including for excellent research and innovation in climate, health, energy and artificial intelligence," head of the Research Council, Mari Sundli Tveit, said.
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Oslo's targeted pitch to global talent
At the city level, Oslo is also acting with intent.
"Talent attraction and retention is core to the work we do at Oslo Business Region," Siw Andersen, CEO of
Oslo Business Region
, the official business development agency of Oslo Municipality, told The Local Norway.
With political shifts abroad creating instability, Oslo is leveraging the moment to attract top professionals.
Andresen said that under its "Onboarding Oslo" initiative, the city introduces international workers and their families to Norwegian life through cultural events, networking, and practical support.
"Over 250 participants attended events under the project," she noted, adding that "thirty spouses and partners of talent gained professional networks, with 61% securing employment" through their "Spouse Program."
This inclusive approach extends to marketing. The "
Work in Oslo
" campaign – targeted at professionals in cities like London, Paris, and Berlin – reached over 1.1 million potential candidates.
Another campaign is scheduled for later this year.
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The international school options for parents in Oslo
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Why Oslo thinks it's the right fit for US talent
Oslo's pitch is based not just on academic freedom but on values.
"Oslo offers purpose-driven careers, global collaboration, and a lifestyle rooted in balance and nature," Andersen said.
The city's openness is central to this message: "One in three inhabitants in Oslo has an immigrant background… English is widely used in the workplace, especially in research and tech," she added.
"With a vibrant startup scene, generous parental leave, and strong support for families – including spouse career programs and cultural onboarding – Oslo helps international talent thrive. It is also a young city, with 88.000 students."
Oslo's appeal lies in its alignment with what many disillusioned US professionals are now seeking: stability, freedom, and a sense of mission.
"Professionals seeking meaning, mobility, and quality of life will find Oslo a compelling choice," Andersen said.
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High stakes for research
The exodus of US researchers has implications far beyond American borders.
Karin Forsberg Nilsson, dean of the faculty of medicine at Uppsala University in Sweden, warned of ripple effects.
"If our partners at laboratories and hospitals in the United States cannot conduct their research in the usual way… this will of course also affect the research we conduct here," she told the AFP.
That's why Nordic universities like Uppsala are already actively advertising jobs to US researchers, particularly younger talent who may find the region's family support systems and work-life balance especially appealing.
At the same time, cities like Oslo are seizing a rare opportunity to recruit top minds.
"We rely on international expertise to develop, scale, and export the solutions the world urgently needs. As global competition intensifies, attracting skilled professionals is essential for Oslo's future success. Oslo's entire R&D-based innovation ecosystem stands to gain. International professionals help drive sustainable solutions, strengthen competitiveness, and support growth in startups and scaleups," Andersen told The Local.
The Oslo Business Region recently published an overview of career opportunties for internationals at universities and research institutions, which can be found
here
.