TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's premier research institution is seizing an opportunity created by American science funding cuts to stem brain drain and attract global talent. James C. Liao (廖俊智), president of Academia Sinica (中研院), unveiled an ambitious recruitment initiative Thursday (April 10) before the Legislative Yuan's "Education and Culture Committee" (立法院教育及文化委員會). The program responds to recent research funding reductions by U.S. President Trump that have reportedly prompted three-quarters of American scientists to contemplate relocating abroad.
During the legislative session, Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) pressed for details on how Trump's broader tariff policies might reshape global scientific collaboration. Lin specifically questioned whether Academia Sinica had developed substantive recruitment strategies to capitalize on the situation. Liao revealed that numerous American professors had privately expressed frustration with their deteriorating research conditions. The initiative particularly targets promising Taiwanese students who secured admission to American universities but face obstacles due to changing U.S. policies.
The recruitment package features financially attractive stipends designed to compete with international standards. Students would receive NT$40,000 (US$1,220) monthly during their initial two years of study, with increases to NT$50,000 (US$1,524) after successfully completing qualifying examinations. Particularly promising candidates who secured admission to elite international universities qualify for enhanced support, receiving an additional NT$6,000 (US$183) monthly stipend upon verification of their acceptance documents.
Meng Tzu-ching (孟子青), who heads Academia Sinica's International Affairs Office, provided implementation details for the initiative. The first cohort of recruited students will begin their studies in the 2025 academic year through the English-language Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP), which offers doctoral training across 13 specialized fields spanning various scientific disciplines. Meng explained that the strategic rollout would prioritize retaining Taiwanese talent during its initial phase before expanding eligibility to international scholars seeking alternatives to American institutions.
