Canada doubles down on global talent hunt
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada is open to international researchers. ‘You will be able to prosper, and we will support you. And my message to Canadians out there, it's time to come back home,’ she said. / MEANS & WAYS PHOTO
MONTREAL, QUE. — Canada is “doubling down” on efforts to attract top researchers, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Tuesday, as Ottawa rolled out a $1.7-billion recruitment campaign.
“Certain countries are turning their backs on academic freedom and cutting research and weakening science,” Joly said in Montreal during the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers' meeting. “We are not doing that.”
The announcement takes aim at the funding cuts and immigration issues in the U.S. under President Donald Trump.
Joly said researchers around the world who want to move should look to Canada. “We will make sure that we welcome you with open arms and you can do research here in French, in English. You will be able to prosper, and we will support you. And my message to Canadians out there, it's time to come back home."
She added that the campaign is global, with a focus on French-speaking experts, and noted “there are researchers south of the border who have already raised their hands and who are interested.”
1,000 researchers over next 10 years
Institutions including the University of Toronto, McMaster, University of Alberta, UBC and Western told Reuters they are expanding efforts to recruit international scholars following the 2025 budget plan to attract more than 1,000 researchers over the next decade.
The government is also easing immigration pathways for global research talent, including a fast-track option for current and former U.S. H-1B visa holders and, starting in 2026, exemptions from international student caps for master’s and PhD applicants.
This initiative has four streams:
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program offers $1 billion over 12 years to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers.
$120 million over 12 years is being provided for institutions to attract international early career researchers (ECRs) through the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program.
Another $400 million will be used to create the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund over six years.
The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards will invest $133.6 million over three years to enable top international doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers to relocate to Canada.
The investment "recognizes that supporting highly-qualified talent is the foundation for a stronger, more resilient and prosperous Canada," U15 Canada, an association of fifteen leading research universities across Canada, said in a press release.
“Today’s announcement of a new international talent attraction initiative is a call to action from the federal government to realize this opportunity and make Canada a world leader in research and innovation,” said Robert Asselin, U15 CEO. “This is a significant step which recognizes that Canada’s security and economic success depend on supporting highly-qualified talent with the ideas and expertise to deliver bold new discoveries. Our universities remain steadfast in defending academic freedom, advancing scientific excellence and investing in the success of Canada’s research community.”
