Amid escalating trade conflicts between Canada and the United States, the Canadian government has announced a funding allocation of over 500 million Canadian dollars to recruit 64 professors to lead scientific research at universities across the country. Currently, three-quarters of the professors are from American universities.
Canadian Minister of Industry, Mélanie Joly, announced on Thursday (August 27) that the government will provide 541 million Canadian dollars in research funding to the first batch of research leaders recruited by Canadian institutions.
These scholars were recruited through the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program and the Canada Impact + Emerging Leaders programs, both of which are key components of the 1.7 billion Canadian dollars Canada Global Impact + Research Talent Initiative launched by the federal government in December last year.
In a news release issued on that day, the government stated that the Research Chairs program combines globally competitive incentive values with outstanding project delivery speed, enabling Canadian institutions to compete globally by attracting world-class researchers, building outstanding teams, and partnerships with collaborators.
Of the funding, 504 million Canadian dollars will be used for the first 64 professors, while the remaining 37 million will support universities in recruiting an additional 63 “emerging leaders” in the next year.
“Attracting top talent will lead to breakthroughs, improve the lives of Canadians, and solidify Canada’s leadership position in global science and innovation,” said Mélanie Joly.
The government noted that the current recruitment results include top talents from 13 countries, as well as Canadians choosing to continue cutting-edge research in Canada.
Mélanie Joly stated at a press conference in British Columbia on Thursday that three-quarters of the professors currently recruited come from the United States.
She mentioned that Canada faces competition from other countries, with some European Union countries also initiating similar talent recruitment programs. Canada must enhance its attractiveness, with each professor receiving 1 million Canadian dollars or more in research funding annually over eight years.
Mélanie Joly explained that this funding is intended to enable those star scholars to invite professors, students, lab coordinators, and others to form teams to carry out their work.