Canada Lures 48 U.S. Researchers to Bolster Science Capacity

By Paul Vieira

OTTAWA--Canada said it has lured dozens of academics from top U.S. universities as part of its push to rebuild its capacity to deliver research and innovation.

The announcement on Thursday underscores trepidation in U.S. academic circles that uncertainty over U.S. federal research funding in the Trump administration is prompting academics to seek positions at universities abroad. A report this year, from the Business for Federal Research Funding, warned that the loss of U.S. academic talent "will hurt long-term economic growth and innovation in the United States, including in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing."

Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Thursday that she had deployed 541 million Canadian dollars (US$389 million) to attract 64 researchers, covering subjects such as astrophysics, biomedical and protein sciences, molecular imaging and artificial intelligence.

Three-quarters of the researchers arrive from U.S. schools, such as Harvard University, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Michigan. Joly said 23 of the researchers hail from Canada, so this marks a return to their home country.

"We are doubling down on science, and we are doubling down on research," Joly said.

The newly relocated researchers are set to take residency at Canadian schools such as the University of British Columbia, McGill University in Montreal and the University of Ottawa, among others institutions.

The chief executive of U15 Canada, an advocacy group for the country's universities, said this marked a milestone moment in Canada's push to improve innovation and, subsequently, economic growth.

"We're talking about some of the best scholars in the world," said Robert Asselin, once a senior aide to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "These scholars will deepen Canada's clusters of research excellence at a moment when countries are competing intensely for talent, technology and ideas."

Since returning to office, the Trump administration has cut or frozen billions of dollars of government research grants to universities, citing investigations into diversity programs and antisemitism. Administration officials said this is about targeting waste, fraud and abuse in federal research funding.

Besides Canada, countries in Europe and Asia also have attracted U.S.-based researchers. In February, for instance, France announced awards for 46 scientists, the bulk of them previously at U.S. institutions, with a promise of expanded academic freedom.

In its 2025 budget plan, Canada allocated C$1.7 billion on recruitment measures aimed at attracting highly qualified researchers, as Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to a rebuild an economy struggling prior to a sea-change in U.S. trade policy. The recruitment, officials say, is about ensuring Canada has the talent to bolster innovation and growth in strategic sectors.

Write to Paul Vieira at paul.vieira@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 27, 2026 13:51 ET (17:51 GMT)