Brain Drain

        Many historians argue that Adolf Hitler sowed the seeds of Germany’s defeat when he enacted the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service, which—as mentioned earlier—barred Jewish individuals from university teaching positions. In response, programs and organizations around the world emerged to support these displaced intellectuals.

One such initiative was the Refugee Scholar Program, created by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1933—originally called the Special Research Aid Fund for Deposed Scholars. It helped scholars like Edward Teller continue their work by providing funding to educational and research institutions in both Europe and the United States willing to employ displaced academics (Miller, 2021). With this support, Teller joined Niels Bohr’s research in Copenhagen before relocating to the United Kingdom, and ultimately accepting a teaching position at George Washington University in 1935 (“Scientific Exodus,” 2014). At both the collegiate and governmental levels, similar efforts emerged: Columbia University established the Faculty Fellowship Fund, and the U.S. government created the Emergency Committee in Aid of Displaced German Scholars.

The United States, in particular, was proactive in attracting scientific talent. Its institutions, along with its geographic distance from the conflict, offered a rare sense of security—enabling scientists to continue their work despite the chaos unfolding in Europe. Notably, Leo Szilard, himself a refugee scientist, dedicated significant energy to helping others find academic placements, even as he struggled to secure one for himself (“Scientific Exodus,” 2014). His efforts underscore the broader scientific community’s commitment to preserving knowledge and innovation.

While these initiatives were undoubtedly humanitarian in nature, they also proved highly advantageous for the countries that welcomed these scholars—especially the United States. By attracting extraordinary scientific talent, American universities bolstered their global reputation, and the nation as a whole gained critical intellectual resources. This influx of expertise accelerated advancements in science and technology, enhanced the U.S.'s strategic capabilities during World War II, and laid the groundwork for long-term economic and political influence.