The Trump administration's limits on universities and research are causing many American scientists to seek jobs in Europe, and Italy is eager to take advantage of this. This signal originates from European financing for young researchers, known as the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants. In the most recent call for applications, applications from the United States increased to 169, up from 116 in the previous edition. 21 of the winners will travel from North America to Europe: 20 from the United States and one from Canada. Italy, on the other hand, is having difficulty attracting talent: it is second in terms of the number of winners, with 50 Italian scientists, but only sixth in terms of the nation chosen to conduct research (22 projects). In reality, many Italian scholars receive funds but choose to work in Germany, the United Kingdom, or France. To counteract the trend, the government provides considerable tax benefits to anyone who relocates, with 90% of their earnings tax-free for up to thirteen years. The Ministry has also set aside €25.5 million to hire 54 young researchers working abroad through the Rita Levi Montalcini initiative. Meanwhile, the Association of American Universities reports that international doctoral program applications in the United States have decreased by 21% for the fall of 2026. Italy’s universities nevertheless continue to face longstanding challenges, including low salaries, insecure employment and limited investment in research.