Canada awards $504 million to 64 international researchers relocating to Canadian universities

Canada has awarded $504 million in research funding to 64 international scholars relocating to Canadian universities as part of a federal effort to attract top global talent to the country's research institutions.

Forty-eight of the awarded researchers are coming from the United States, including scholars from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Others are relocating from the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and Japan, according to a list first obtained by Bloomberg and reported by the Financial Post.

The awards represent the evolution of Canada's 2025 budget plan, which allocated $1.7 billion over 12 years to recruiting researchers to Canada. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said at the time: "Canada is the best place to live, and top talent from around the world want to come here because they see opportunities and possibilities to contribute to cutting-edge research. We will make sure that the best and brightest continue to choose Canada to innovate, invent and grow our industry."

Robert Asselin, CEO of U15, an association representing 15 leading research universities across the country, told the Financial Post that policy changes in the U.S. have encouraged science scholars to relocate. "That was absolutely a reason why they wanted to come to Canada. We seized the opportunity and I'm really happy this happened," he said.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly framed the initiative as a counterweight to global scientific retreat. "At a time when parts of the world are turning away from science, Canada is doubling down. Attracting top talent will deliver breakthroughs that improve Canadians' lives and advance Canada's position as a global leader in science and innovation," Joly said in a government release. The initiative aims to expand Canada's talent pipeline and research capacity in areas vital to national prosperity and sovereignty.