Transatlantic Excellence by Brain Circulation

By Markus Schweiger

A very common term when discussing scientific exchange is the notion of brain drain. But one could also have another perspective on scientific exchange: the brain circulation perspective. This perspective takes into consideration that researchers move back and forth a lot between different countries and (work) areas. Often, they go to a foreign country for educational reasons but come back to their country of origin later.

A good example for a successful implementation of a brain circulation strategy are our fellowships. Two former fellows of the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation told us about their experience in the U.S. and the impact of this time abroad on their careers. One of them is Marlies Berger, who received a fellowship to do her research in biotechnology at New York University - she highlights the importance of this experience: “I am very grateful for the fellowship I received for my research stay in New York City in 2017 which was a worth-while experience in many aspects.” After her return and the finalization of her study program she started to work in the pharmaceutical industry in Austria.

Faruk Ajeti, who recently has been to Washington, DC for a ninemonth fellowship at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University came to a similar conclusion: “The opportunity to spend an academic year at one of America’s most prestigious universities was a great privilege and a wonderful opportunity to gain experience in the American academic environment.“ After his return he decided to strengthen his efforts to push his scientific career. He continued his work at the Austrian Institute for International Politics (oiip).

The stories of Marlies, Faruk and our other approximately 1,000 fellows are good examples how brain circulation works and how we support it. Our programs are focused on shorter research stays that help our fellows to enhance their network, strengthen their scientific knowledge, and gain new cultural experiences. But we require them to come back afterwards to finish their study program. And they bring back new ideas, scientific concepts, and contacts to their universities and of course also to their companies. Marlies put it this way: “I gained wet-lab research expertise, improved my English skills and met great people from many different countries.”

As you can see, (brain) circulation is a vital part of the experience of our fellows. They switch continuously between various levels: between different continents and countries and between universities and companies. Besides scientific training, building long lasting networks and connections are an important aspect of their fellowship experience. For Faruk, establishing contacts and expanding his network were an important part of the fellowship: “In terms of my future career, the fellowship of the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation has opened further career opportunities, expanded a global network, and opened new doors professionally.”

Our examples also show that people are very mobile now and do not stay in one country or one (work) area their whole life. And this level of mobility also poses a challenge to organizations that deal with scientific exchange. Therefore, the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation is focused on not only providing funds but also to support with our network and experience.

About the Foundation

The Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation was created on the fiftieth anniversary of the European Recovery Program, which was initiated by U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall in 1947. It is a nonprofit, non-partisan endowment and its activities extend across Austria and the United States. Our aim is a transfer of knowledge between the U.S. and Austria and to foster transatlantic excellence.

As the “Transatlantic Knowledge Foundation,” the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation has been promoting the academic exchange of knowledge between the United States of America and Austria for 20 years. It thus continues a long tradition of transatlantic relations. The Foundation is therefore embedded in a diverse network of different actors on both sides of the Atlantic and maintains a cooperative relationship with them. By actively and visibly assuming a leading role in the American-Austrian knowledge transfer, the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation also reminds us of the great historical successes of the American-Austrian friendship.

The Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation benefits and supports the co-operation between Austrian and American universities and academics with approximately EUR 1 Million per year. The support is carried out in the framework of (1) endowed professorships, (2) fellowships, (3) public lectures and discussions, (4) publications, and (5) the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation Poster Award.

With this set of instruments, we can support universities and researchers on both sides of the Atlantic and contribute to the success story of brain circulation and knowledge transfer between the United States of America and Austria in the future. Because we are proud of our mission: to foster transatlantic excellence.

Track Record (End of 2020):
• 854 Marshallplan Scholarships in the field of technical sciences
• 98 UC Berkeley Program Fellows
• 15 University of New OrleansProfessors
• 30 Johns Hopkins UniversityFellows

More Information:
www.marshallplan.at

Dr. Markus Schweiger is the Executive Director of the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation.