US academics leave for Canada as Trump administration targets university funding

Canada has recruited dozens of academics from US universities as President Donald Trump's administration tightens federal funding for higher education and research.

Industry Minister Melanie Joly announced on Thursday that Canada had hired 64 scholars, including 48 from US institutions such as Harvard, Cornell and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The researchers, working in fields including medicine, engineering and climate science, will receive more than $500 million CAD in support over eight years.

“While certain countries are cutting research and turning their back on academic freedom, we’re doubling down on science and we’re doubling down on research,” Joly said at the University of British Columbia, according to CNN.

The funding comes through Canada's $1.7 billion CAD Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, aimed at attracting leading international researchers.

UBC has recruited nine of the academics, while six will join the University of Toronto.

Some researchers cited concerns about academic freedom in the US when explaining their decisions.

“I cannot do my best work in America,” University of Massachusetts researcher Phillip Zamore told NPR affiliate WBUR. “I can’t recruit the best people to help me do that, and I can’t promise them an environment where they’ll be safe.”

Trump's administration has targeted several prominent US universities by restricting federal funding and increasing scrutiny over research grants.