OTTAWA — December 9, 2025 — Leads & Copy — The Canadian government will invest $1.7 billion in the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative to attract leading international researchers to Canada.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, accompanied by Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry.
The initiative, outlined in Budget 2025, will include a suite of programs designed to secure top research talent and keep Canada at the forefront of scientific innovation.
The government plans to recruit and support over 1,000 international and expatriate researchers, including Francophone researchers, over 12 years. The program will target individuals advancing research in fields that promise economic, societal, and health benefits for Canadians.
The Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative includes four streams:
- Canada Impact+ Research Chairs: This program provides $1 billion over 12 years to help institutions attract researchers. The program funds researcher salaries and supporting infrastructure. 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.
- Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders: Institutions will receive $120 million over 12 years to attract international early career researchers (ECRs).
- Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund: This fund will receive $400 million over six years to support the infrastructure needs of the research chairs and ECRs, including capital costs and operating and maintenance costs.
- Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards: $133.6 million will be invested over three years to enable top international doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers to relocate to Canada.
Recruitment will prioritize research areas critical to Canada’s sovereignty, resilience, and long-term prosperity, including advanced digital technologies, health, clean technologies, environment and climate resilience, food and water security, democratic and community resilience, manufacturing and advanced materials, and defence and dual-use technologies.
Minister Joly stated that Canada is investing in science to attract top minds and secure Canada’s place at the forefront of discovery and innovation.
Minister Michel said the investments will attract the best and brightest to drive better healthcare outcomes and grow the Canadian economy.
Minister Hajdu added that creating conditions for researchers to thrive will strengthen Canadian institutions and protect Canada’s position as a global innovation leader.
According to Parliamentary Secretary Bardeesy, the initiative will attract the world’s leading and most promising researchers, bringing economic, societal, and health benefits to Canadians.
As part of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is working to attract and retain top talent, including targeted immigration measures to boost Canada’s supply of doctors.
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs will be awarded either $8 million or $4 million over eight years, with a potential four-year extension at 50% of the initial award value. The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program funding will be awarded at $100,000 per year over six years, with a potential continuation of funding for up to an additional six years at $100,000 per year. The Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund will support the infrastructure needs of the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs as well as individuals recruited through the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program (as applicable), including both capital costs and operating and maintenance costs. The award value will vary based on need, with a maximum of $6 million per chair. The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards will provide up to 600 doctoral scholarships, each valued at $40,000 per year for three years, and up to 400 postdoctoral research awards, valued at $70,000 per year for two years. These awards will be managed by the three federal research granting agencies.
Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Source: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
