Canada has enlisted 64 professors to spearhead scientific research at various universities nationwide, with substantial funding backing their endeavors. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, speaking at the University of British Columbia (UBC), unveiled a $541 million research funding allocation for the initial group of research leaders recruited by Canadian institutions.
These academics are part of the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programs, integral components of Ottawa’s $1.7 billion Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative launched in December. The program was renamed to honor the late Eddie Goldenberg, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, who passed away in July. In a tribute, Chrétien emphasized Canada’s indebtedness to Goldenberg for his public service contributions and nurturing the potential of young talents.
Out of the total funding, $504 million is designated for the first 64 professors, while the remaining $37 million will support universities in recruiting an additional 63 “emerging leaders” over the upcoming year. Sylvie Lamoureux, a vice-president at the federal government’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, noted that these academics possess a history of leading ambitious research initiatives.
According to Joly, 48 professors recruited so far are from the United States, reflecting a strategic move to attract top talent amid global competition. Each professor is slated to receive between $500,000 and $1 million annually for eight years to support their research endeavors. This funding is intended to facilitate the assembly of teams comprising professors, students, and lab coordinators, fostering collaborative research environments.
One noteworthy case is Peter Caravan, who returned to Canada as part of the research funding initiative after a successful career in the U.S. Caravan, appointed as one of the program’s distinguished research chairs, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Canadian research in translational molecular imaging and therapy.
In response to inquiries about the initiative possibly poaching talent from U.S. institutions and its relation to the Canada-U.S. trade dynamics, Joly emphasized Canada’s commitment to nurturing research excellence. Amidst cuts in scientific research funding in the U.S., Canada’s investment in attracting top-tier professors is seen as a positive endeavor. Joly indicated that a second round of recruitment for the Eddie Goldenberg chairs is already underway.