# Greece research and development challenges > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greece-research-and-development-challenges > Updated: 2026-09-02T05:45:22.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 4. Greece continues to face significant challenges in its research and innovation sector, marked by low investment and uncompetitive compensation. Eurostat data indicates that projected state credits for R&D in 2025 are approximately 123 euros per capita, which is only about 43% of the European Union average of 288.9 euros. This low level of investment places Greece 18th out of 27 EU member states, trailing significantly behind leaders like Luxembourg, Denmark, and Germany. This funding gap contributes to a trend where Greek researchers achieve success abroad due to superior equipment and opportunities, complicating government efforts to achieve a ‘brain gain’. Efforts to reverse the ‘brain-drain’ through the ‘Brain Regain’ initiative have encountered a major setback following the collapse of the ‘Trust your Stars’ program. This initiative was intended to utilize €80 million from the EU Recovery Fund to attract researchers back to Greece. The cancellation has caused frustration; Aristides Hatzis, a professor at the University of Athens, described the development as a ‘massive step backward,’ suggesting research has fallen to the bottom of national priorities. While the government has implemented measures such as a 50 percent income tax exemption for seven years, the failure of specific research programs has undermined trust. Further complicating the landscape, a Eurobank study highlights a disconnect in the tertiary education system. While Greece has the highest proportion of 20-year-olds enrolled in higher education in the EU-27 (55.7%), public funding for education averages only 4.1% of GDP, below the EU average of 4.8%. Most of these funds are directed toward faculty salaries, leaving research, infrastructure, and scholarships underfunded. ## Claims - The discussion regarding 'brain gain' is a massive step backward. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The 'Trust your Stars' research program was intended to be funded with 80 million euros from the Recovery Fund. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Approximately 500,000 people left Greece during the economic crisis starting in 2008. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Greece's state funding for education averaged 4.1% of GDP between 2001 and 2024, compared to the EU average of 4.8%. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Higher education institutions in Greece absorb 1% of GDP, compared to the EU average of 0.8%. (corroborated by 3 sources) - 55.7% of 20-year-olds in Greece attend higher education institutions, compared to the EU-27 average of 33.1%. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The number of postgraduate students in the university and technological sector increased eightfold between 2001 and 2023 to 106,800. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The number of doctoral students nearly tripled between 2001 and 2023 to 33,700. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Greek productivity stands at 56.2%, the lowest level in the European Union. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The program's cancellation was due to the inability to meet strict European fund timelines. (single source) - Over 200 objections were submitted regarding opaque evaluation processes. (single source) - Research spending in Greece has declined to 0.51% of GDP. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: Greece faces higher education funding and research gaps A Eurobank study reveals Greece has the highest EU rate of higher education enrollment but suffers from low public funding, leading to shortages in research, infrastructure, and student support. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-education-funding-lags-eu-average-despite-rising-student-numbers ### 2026-08-18: Greece scientific repatriation program fails to attract researchers Greece’s €80 million ‘Trust your Stars’ program to attract scientists back to the country has collapsed, leaving the academic community feeling betrayed by government inaction and lack of transparency. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-research-program-trust-your-stars-canceled-amid-controversy ### 2026-08-12: Greece faces low R&D investment compared to EU average Greece's R&D spending per capita is only 43% of the EU average, ranking the country 18th in the bloc and fueling concerns over innovation and brain drain. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-faces-low-rd-investment-compared-to-eu-average ### 2026-08-04: Greece’s research staff among the lowest‑paid in the OECD Greece pays its researchers the lowest salaries in the OECD, about $50‑100k annually, fueling brain‑drain despite strong STEM graduate numbers. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-records-lowest-researcher-salaries-among-oecd-members --- Cite as: Greece research and development challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greece-research-and-development-challenges