Ottawa plans to create 100 research chairs at Canadian universities across eight areas of focus.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says the federal government’s $1.7-billion plan to attract research talent can reverse the brain drain of past decades and spur economic growth, in part by luring back Canadian scholars who have moved abroad.
The plan, announced in last month’s budget, will create 100 research chairs at Canadian universities spread across eight areas of focus, which range from defence technologies to food and water security, climate resilience and the Arctic.
The chair positions will be funded at either $1-million or $500,000 per year over eight years, with the possibility of a four-year extension at half the value of the previous award. An additional $500,000 per year is available for distinguished chairs, open to those who have received “exceptional international recognition through prestigious awards or prizes,” according to the government announcement.
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As much as $530-million in funding is budgeted for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, up to $340-million for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and up to $198.5-million for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council – for a total of more than $1-billion over 12 years.
“For decades, Canada has been dealing with a brain drain, and now we can be in a brain gain situation,” Ms. Joly said in an interview this week. “That’s why we wanted to be bold.”
She said Canada’s talent attraction plan is more ambitious than those pitched by other Western jurisdictions. The European Union, France, Spain, Australia and Norway are among those who’ve made attempts to attract researchers in the wake of cuts to science funding in the United States under the Trump administration.
“We think that we can bring back Canadians that are in the U.S. or elsewhere,” Ms. Joly said. “So my message to Canadians is that it’s time to come home. And we think there are lots of important researchers across the U.S. and the world that are looking for a place to be able to continue their research.”
In addition to the $1-billion for established scholars, the plan includes $120-million over the same period for emerging leaders. These awards are intended for promising young scholars and will come with awards of $100,000 per year for six years, with the possibility of renewal.
It also includes $400-million over six years for research infrastructure, which can pay the often significant costs associated with renovating labs to meet the specifications of a certain project.
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The government’s announcement said the chairs are expected to do more than just discovery work; their research should generate social, economic and policy impacts.
Ms. Joly said the aim is to attract talent to schools across the country.
“I want this to be a national project, because it’s the first time in decades that we’re able to do this,” she said.
Universities will be able to submit applications based on the value of federal grants they’ve received over the past three years. The federal government’s website indicates that most smaller schools are eligible to apply for $2-million or $3-million. Among larger universities there is a wider range, with Dalhousie, for example, eligible for as much as $7-million, the University of Alberta at $15-million and the University of Toronto at the top of the range at $35-million.
Applications will be assessed on five selection criteria, which include the academic merit of the nominee, the quality of the research program and its institutional support and the potential to mobilize and apply the research results.
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Robert Asselin, the CEO of the U15 Canada group of large research universities, said many universities are already in talks with leading scientists about the possibility of moving to Canada. He said that, given the geographic proximity of the U.S. and the size and similarity of its university system, it’s natural to look there for potential recruits.
“Now I think we can move forward and really get going on getting these people here in Canada,” Mr. Asselin said. “This sends a strong signal that talent is really important and we need to build a critical mass of research excellence in some key sectors.”
University of Toronto president Melanie Woodin called the government funding a “landmark investment” that recognizes the role of top research talent in fostering global competitiveness.
“It tells outstanding scholars around the world that this country is committed to supporting and empowering them in addressing the great challenges of our time. And it tells Canadians that we are focused on building the foundations for long-term growth across the country,” Dr. Woodin said.
The government has identified eight strategic priorities for research. The first, labelled advanced digital technologies, includes artificial intelligence, quantum technology and cybersecurity. There’s also health, which includes biotech; clean technology and resource value chains; democratic and community resilience; manufacturing and advanced materials; environment, climate resilience and the Arctic; food and water security; and defence and dual-use technologies.
Mr. Asselin said universities and the government were closely aligned when it came to selecting the priority areas.
“Quantum is a great example,” he said. “There’s a lot of competition, but Canada has a head start, I would say. With this money we can attract more to our existing clusters of excellence and build on this strength.”