Canada announces details of C$1.7 billion talent scheme
A new C$1.7 billion (£920,000) initiative to attract international researchers to Canada has been praised as a “call to action” from the federal government.
Amid instability in US higher education, Canada is facing growing competition from the UK and elsewhere to attract top scientists.
On 9 December, the government announced more details of the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative after it was included in last month’s federal budget. The series of programmes is intended to attract more than 1,000 leading international researchers to Canada over 12 years.
Mélanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for Canada economic development for the Quebec Regions, said: “As other countries constrain academic freedoms and undermine cutting-edge research, Canada is investing, and doubling down, in science.”
The federal government said it was one of the largest recruitment programmes of its kind in the world, specifically designed for speed and flexibility to bring in the best researchers in fields critical to the Canadian economy.
The announcement “is a call to action from the federal government to realise this opportunity and make Canada a world leader in research and innovation”, according to Robert Asselin, chief executive of the U15 organisation of Canadian research universities.
“This is a significant step which recognises that Canada’s security and economic success depend on supporting highly qualified talent with the ideas and expertise to deliver bold new discoveries.”
In a message to prospective international researchers, Asselin said Canada is a supportive and welcoming destination, with world-class research universities to partner with, which “remain steadfast in defending academic freedom”.
The federal initiative includes a C$1 billion scheme to help institutions pay for world-leading researchers and supporting infrastructure, C$120 million to support hiring early career researchers, C$400 million in research infrastructure support to build world-class facilities, and C$133.6 million to enable top international doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers to relocate to Canada.
Félix Proulx-Giraldeau, interim executive director of policy non-profit Evidence for Democracy, said the investment recognises that supporting top talent is the foundation for building a stronger, more resilient and prosperous Canada.
“Canada’s cutting-edge research sector has a proven track record of successfully attracting the best and brightest across the globe.
“We call on the federal government to continue investing in top talent at every career stage – from internationally recognised researchers to promising graduate students – ensuring they have the resources and support required to advance Canadian science and innovation.”
Thomas Bailey, executive director of the advocacy group Support Our Science, said he was particularly encouraged to see dedicated funding to attract doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars.
“These researchers drive much of Canada's research and innovation, and we hope institutions of all sizes and regions – including Francophone institutions – will benefit from these programs.
“While attracting top talent is valuable, ensuring they can thrive here long-term will require continued investment in core research grants alongside these new chairs.”
The UK has recently begun to see the benefits of its own global talent initiative, with more world-class researchers joining institutions there.