Chennai: To attract researchers leaving the US due to Trump’s anti-immigration policies, Tamil Nadu govt is preparing a comprehensive plan which includes an incentive and support package and a new framework to collaborate with foreign universities.The govt will provide internationally competitive salaries, start-up research grants, relocation aid including housing, and fast-tracked visa processing.“First, we will prepare a registry of overseas Tamil researchers across various disciplines and domains,” said M P Vijayakumar, vice-chairman of Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE).The council will identify centres of excellence and research chairs in state universities that can host these scholars. The council is developing a collaboration framework between state-funded institutions and returning researchers.“The framework will include establishing joint research labs, co-supervising research scholars, undertaking collaborative research of national and international importance,” Vijayakumar said. “We are open for long-term or short-term collaboration to boost basic science research,” he added.The plan is to attract researchers not only from the US but also from countries such as the UK and Australia. The Tamil Talents Plan, a new scheme, includes an annual conclave where diaspora researchers can engage with academic leaders, students, and policymakers.TANSCHE will keep the researcher registry updated through outreach, academic networks, and community ties.At a recent meeting with vice-chancellors and registrars, chief minister Stalin directed state universities to prepare plans to attract researchers who may leave the US due to new visa policies. He announced the Tamil Talents Plan to boost basic science research in the state. Vijayakumar said state universities such as the University of Madras, Madurai Kamaraj University have advanced research centres in basic sciences and application-oriented areas.“Artificial intelligence is expected to take away many routine jobs. Concentrating on basic science research will strengthen innovation and create new jobs,” he added.In the budget, the state govt announced the establishment of two basic sciences and maths research centres in Chennai and Coimbatore at the cost of 100 crore in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.