Munich

Germany continues to be an unpopular destination for young researchers from abroad, according to new figures from the European Commission (EC).

The country's lack of attractiveness to researchers has been revealed in details of the uptake of the EC's Marie Curie Fellowships, which enable European post-graduates and postdoctoral fellows to study in another country within the continent.

Only 10% of the 2,080 fellowships awarded between 1999 and 2001 were used to study at a German university, research institute or industry research programme. The Netherlands, a country with a much smaller science base than Germany, attracts almost the same number. Britain remains the preferred country for young European scientists, attracting over one-third of new fellows.

France is a relatively popular destination, drawing 17% of new fellows. But, together with Spain, the country also has the largest number of researchers departing through the scheme. Scientists from the two nations accounted for 40–50% of all new fellowships between 1999 and 2001. Both countries have a relatively small number of new postdoctoral positions available each year.

German researchers contacted by Nature say that language difficulties and the notorious bureaucracy of university administrations are to blame.

The situation is particularly difficult in eastern Germany, says Jörg Oehlmann, a toxicologist at the University of Frankfurt, who has supervised Marie Curie fellows in the past. “Many people are deterred by the fact that English is only poorly spoken and understood in eastern Germany, which can make daily life a rather adventurous experience for foreigners,” he says.

→ http://www.cordis.lu/improving/fellowships/home.htm