Photo credit: National Post
Canada will invest $1.7 billion to attract top global talent.
The Minister of Industry and the Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Melanie Joly, and the Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, along with the Parliament Secretary to the Minister of Industry, Karim Bardeesy, have announced $1.7 billion to launch the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, a suite of programs that will attract leading international researchers to Canada as outlined in the 2025 budget.
The initiative represents one of the largest recruitment programs of its kind globally. It is uniquely designed for exceptional speed and flexibility in securing top research talent. These features will ensure Canada remains at the forefront of scientific innovation.
Through this initiative, the Government of Canada will invest up to $1.7 billion over 12 years to attract and support more than 1,000 leading international expatriate researchers, including Francophone researchers. Recruitment will target individuals who are advancing world-leading research in critical fields that will deliver economic, societal and health benefits for Canada.
The initiative has four streams:
X The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program offers $1 billion over 12 years to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers. New chairs and their teams will advance transformational research projects that can be applied and/or commercialized by connecting with receptors in industry, government and society, while also developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel. The program will fund both researcher salaries and supporting infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive support for recruited researchers.
X $120 million over 12 years is being provided for institutions to attract international early career researchers (ECRs) through the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program. This program will add more global talent to the Canadian research ecosystem, bringing fresh in ideas, diverse perspectives and significant potential.
X Another $400 million will be used to create the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund over six years to establish a complementary stream of research infrastructure support to ensure the recruited research chairs and ECRs have the world-class facilities they need to achieve their research goals.
X 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 chairs will work with Canadian experts to create new opportunities for collaboration, discovery, and contribute to addressing key economic, environmental and societal challenges and opportunities. By attracting world-leading talent, Canada aims to drive innovation, strengthen strategic industries a nd safeguard its long-term economic security and competitiveness.
