Canada has enlisted 64 professors to spearhead scientific research at universities nationwide, allocating millions of dollars in funding for this initiative. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly made the announcement at the University of British Columbia (UBC), revealing that the government is granting $541 million in research funding to the initial group of research leaders recruited by Canadian institutions.
These academics were brought on board through the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programs, integral components of Ottawa’s $1.7-billion Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative established in December. The research chairs program was renamed in memory of the late Eddie Goldenburg, former chief of staff to ex-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, who passed away in July.
Out of the total funding, $504 million is allocated for the first 64 professors, with the remaining $37 million earmarked to aid universities in recruiting an additional 63 “emerging leaders” within the next year. Sylvie Lamoureux, a vice-president at the federal government’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, emphasized that these academics have a strong history of leading large-scale research endeavors.
According to Joly, three-quarters of the recruited professors are originating from the United States. In a bid to attract top talent, Canada had to enhance the allure of its initiative as it faced competition from other countries with similar programs. Each professor is slated to receive between $500,000 and $1 million annually over an eight-year period to support their research.
Peter Caravan, a Canadian professor who pursued his academic career in the U.S., expressed his joy at returning to Canada under this research funding initiative. Recognized as one of the program’s distinguished research chairs, Caravan will receive $1.5 million in annual research funding, totaling $12 million. His sentiment of “coming home” was shared during the announcement at UBC.
In response to inquiries about poaching talent from U.S. institutions, Minister Joly stated that the U.S. administration is pursuing its strategies, while Canada is executing its own. This move comes amidst significant budget cuts to scientific research in the U.S. during the Trump administration’s second term, causing tension with higher education entities.
Joly expressed enthusiasm for the influx of talented professors and hinted at an upcoming second wave of recruitment for the Eddie Goldenberg chairs.
