Overview
- Over 12 years, the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative will support more than 1,000 international and expatriate researchers across universities and research hospitals.
- The program has four streams: C$1 billion for Impact+ Research Chairs, C$120 million for Emerging Leaders, C$400 million for an infrastructure fund, and C$133.6 million for training awards.
- Priority areas include artificial intelligence, quantum and cybersecurity, health and biotechnology, clean technologies, climate resilience, food and water security, advanced manufacturing, and defence-related research.
- Immigration measures include a planned accelerated pathway for current and former U.S. H-1B holders, 14-day visa processing for PhD applicants and families, and a 2026 exemption from student-permit caps for master’s and doctoral students.
- Canadian universities are ramping up recruitment, with early high-profile moves such as astrophysicist Sara Seager joining the University of Toronto, even as analysts warn retention of highly educated newcomers remains a key risk.