Canada Lures 64 Global Scholars
Canada has awarded C$504 million in funding to 64 global scholars, including 48 from the US, to relocate their work to Canadian universities, in a bid to boost its research sector
Canada has awarded 64 global scholars with C$504 million in funding to relocate their work to Canadian universities. The initiative is part of a C$1.7 billion program to recruit over 1,000 researchers over 12 years.
The funding has attracted researchers from around the world, with 48 coming from the US, including from elite institutions such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The other 16 researchers are coming from 12 other countries, including the UK, Germany, China, and Japan.
The researchers are being hired by universities across the country, including the University of British Columbia, McGill, and the University of Toronto. One climate researcher, Seth Guikema, will use C$8 million to research tools for better preparing for natural hazards at the University of Western Ontario.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said that Canada is doubling down on science at a time when others are turning away from it. The initiative is seen as a contrast to recent US federal funding cuts and tightening immigration policies, which have led some scholars to look for opportunities elsewhere.
## Why it matters The move is significant as it comes at a time when the US is experiencing a brain drain due to policy changes that have left scientists feeling unsupported. The funding will be provided over eight years and will support research in areas such as health and artificial intelligence. More than $37 million in other funding will support the recruitment of 63 emerging leaders over the next year.
The initiative is also seen as a way for Canada to assert itself on the global stage, particularly in the field of research and innovation. With 23 of the research chairs being Canadians returning home, the move is expected to have a positive impact on the country's research sector.
## What happens next The recruitment of the 64 new researchers is just the beginning of the initiative, with more than 1,000 researchers expected to be recruited over the next 12 years. The funding is expected to deliver breakthroughs that improve Canadians' lives and advance Canada's position as a global leader in science and innovation.
