Canada has appointed 64 professors to spearhead scientific research at universities nationwide, with millions in funding allocated for this purpose. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly revealed the allocation of $541 million in research funding for a group of research leaders recruited by Canadian institutions during an event at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
These academics are part of the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programs, integral components of Ottawa’s Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative worth $1.7 billion, launched in December. The research chairs program, named in honor of the late Eddie Goldenburg, the former chief of staff to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, received special recognition for Goldenburg’s contributions to public service and nurturing young talents.
Out of the total funding, $504 million will support the initial 64 professors, while the remaining $37 million will assist universities in recruiting an additional 63 “emerging leaders” in the coming year. Sylvie Lamoureux, a vice-president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, highlighted the impressive track records of these academics in leading ambitious research programs.
According to Joly, the majority of the recruited professors, about three-quarters, are from the United States. The initiative aims to attract top-tier talent to Canadian institutions, competing with similar programs launched by other countries like France and the EU. Each professor is slated to receive substantial annual funding, ranging from $500,000 to $1 million, to support their research endeavors over eight years.
The funding is intended to facilitate the formation of research teams, encompassing professors, students, lab coordinators, and other collaborators. Notably, Peter Caravan, a distinguished researcher with roots in Canada, expressed gratitude for being selected as one of the program’s research chairs, receiving $1.5 million annually for research in translational molecular imaging and therapy. Caravan emphasized his return to Canada as a meaningful homecoming and lauded the investment in science and evidence-based research.
When questioned about the initiative potentially poaching talent from U.S. Ivy League schools, Joly emphasized the importance of Canada’s independent decisions amid the changing landscape of U.S. research funding and higher education policies. The move to attract top academics from around the world signifies Canada’s commitment to strengthening its research landscape and fostering international collaborations.