Canada Lures U.S. Researchers as Trump-Era Policies Tighten Academic Freedom

In August 2026, twenty-one Canadian universities announced the recruitment of 64 senior scholars, financed by more than 500 million CAD from the Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, part of a $1.2 billion Canadian innovation budget. Forty-eight of the hires will leave U.S. institutions such as Harvard, Yale, MIT and Cornell; the rest come from Europe, Asia and Australia. A second hiring round of 63 academics is slated for next year.

New York Times

The drive follows heightened tension between the Trump administration and U.S. higher-education institutions. Since the administration’s return, federal policies have curtailed funding for equity-related programs, tightened foreign-student admissions and, according to some scientists, pressured research agendas. Departing scholars describe this as “an assault on science” that spurred resignations and relocations.

New York Times

• Phillip Zamore – Chair of the RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass, moving to McGill.

CNN

• Kevin Hall – Former NIH nutrition scientist, now at the University of Ottawa.

New York Times

• Seth Guikema – Civil-environmental engineering professor from the University of Michigan, joining Western University.

New York Times

• Mélanie Joly – Canada’s minister of industry, overseeing the program.

CNN

• Benoît-Antoine Bacon – President of UBC, which will host nine of the new scholars.

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• 64 researchers hired in the first wave.

New York Times

• 48 moving from U.S. campuses.

New York Times

• Funding: > 500 million CAD for eight-year contracts.

CNN

• Part of a $1.2 billion innovation budget; a second round of 63 hires planned.

New York Times

• Disciplines include medicine, engineering, climate science, astrophysics and media studies.

New York Times

Minister Joly called the program “the world’s largest talent-attraction” effort, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to “doubling down on science.” University leaders said the incoming scholars will have a “meaningful impact” on research excellence.

CNN

Researchers cited concerns over academic freedom and funding stability in the United States. Zamore said he could no longer do his best work in America; Guikema noted that climate-hazard modeling has become harder to fund under current U.S. priorities.

New York Times

• “While certain countries are cutting research and turning their back on academic freedom, we’re doubling down on science,” — Mélanie Joly, industry minister

New York Times

• “I cannot do my best work in America,” — Phillip Zamore, RNA Therapeutics Institute chair

CNN

The government will open a second recruitment round for 63 additional scholars next year, extending the effort into new fields and institutions and offering an alternative for U.S. academics seeking a more supportive environment.

New York Times