Story perspectives

Canada Hires 64 Scholars for C$504M Research Chairs

8/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Canada announced hiring 64 scholars with C$504 million for eight-year research chairs.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said 48 recruits come from U.S. universities and 16 hail from 12 nations.
Each chair receives at least C$1 million annually for staff, students and laboratory resources.
Peter Caravan will lead a distinguished chair in translational molecular imaging at UBC with C$1.5 million yearly.
Sara Seager and Tanya Berger-Wolf will join the University of Toronto and other Canadian schools.

History

Historical Context

The National Research Council, created in 1916 to coordinate wartime science, had its university-funding role moved to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council in 1978. Since then, federal research initiatives have periodically expanded capacity, a pattern reflected in the latest funding announcement. The initiative follows a legacy championed by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly.

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Story summary

Canada announced hiring 64 scholars with C$504 million for eight-year research chairs.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said 48 recruits come from U.S. universities and 16 hail from 12 nations.
Each chair receives at least C$1 million annually for staff, students and laboratory resources.
Peter Caravan will lead a distinguished chair in translational molecular imaging at UBC with C$1.5 million yearly.
Sara Seager and Tanya Berger-Wolf will join the University of Toronto and other Canadian schools.

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