Canada's Strategic Bid to Attract Top Global Researchers

Canadian universities are leveraging federal funding and immigration reforms to attract top international researchers as U.S. institutions face funding cuts. The effort targets prominent academics, including MIT's Sara Seager, who are re-evaluating the benefits of remaining in the U.S. amid budget uncertainties under the Trump administration.

Amid the Trump administration's funding cuts, Canadian universities are seizing the opportunity to attract top global researchers with new federal funding and immigration reforms.

The recruitment effort involves a C$1.7 billion budget intended to draw international academics disillusioned by the U.S., including MIT astrophysicist Sara Seager, who is headed to the University of Toronto. The move comes as U.S. higher education faces significant funding uncertainties.

Leading Canadian universities are ramping up efforts, with the University of Toronto and others expanding their hiring strategies, hoping to capitalize on new federal initiatives to make Canada more competitive in academia. Despite this, Canada's challenges in retaining top talent persist, as higher salaries in the U.S. continue to attract Canadian scholars.

(With inputs from agencies.)