Greece scientific repatriation program fails to attract researchers

brain drain Trust your Stars research funding EU Recovery Fund scientific community

Greece’s ambitious effort to reverse the ‘brain drain’ has faced a major setback following the collapse of the ‘Trust your Stars’ program. The initiative, which was intended to use €80 million in European Union funds to attract top scientists and researchers back to the country, has reportedly ended in failure.

University professors and members of the scientific community have expressed feelings of betrayal, alleging a lack of transparency and communication from the government regarding the program’s cancellation. Aristides Hatzis, a professor at the University of Athens, described the situation as a ‘massive step backward,’ noting that research funding now appears to be at the bottom of national priorities.

The program’s failure comes despite broader ‘Brain Regain’ initiatives by the New Democracy government, such as offering 50 percent income tax exemptions for seven years to skilled professionals. While OECD data suggests a general increase in Greeks returning to the country since 2021, the collapse of this specific research-focused funding has caused significant unrest within the academic sector.

Entities

Aristides Chatzis · Aristides Hatzis · European Public Prosecutor's Office · European Union · Greece · Ministry of Education · New Democracy · University of Athens

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The discussion regarding 'brain gain' is a massive step backward. www.reader.gr · www.efsyn.gr · www.politico.eu
[○ 1 SOURCE] Research spending in Greece has declined to 0.51% of GDP. www.zougla.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The program's cancellation was due to the inability to meet strict European fund timelines. www.zougla.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Over 200 objections were submitted regarding opaque evaluation processes. www.zougla.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 500,000 people left Greece during the economic crisis starting in 2008. www.reader.gr · www.efsyn.gr · www.politico.eu
[● 3 SOURCES] The 'Trust your Stars' research program was intended to be funded with 80 million euros from the Recovery Fund. www.zougla.gr · www.reader.gr · www.tanea.gr