1/Heard today that two superb mid-career 🇨🇦 scientists are moving to US due to funding precariousness. Scientists move. That’s normal. But...
... this is after a government budget that responded to a major science report. They did the math and concluded leaving was their best option.
They are just two people. But there’s a timely reminder here. 1. Words mean little if not converted to action - at the funding agencies it seems to be business as usual.
2. The Canada 150 chair program has successfully brought 24 excellent scientists to Canada. We need a Canada Scientist Retention program to avoid losing far more.
3. And the best way to achieve that is to increase investigator-initiated funding envelops. They don’t want hand-outs -just to fairly compete.
4. The 🇨🇦 government likely believes it has addressed the neglect in scientific investment. It made a good start. But it needs to pressure the agencies to change their approach.
I’d suggest those agencies conduct a survey of researchers to understand their real life situation. Start with the two who are leaving. Understand why. Otherwise there will be more.
Realistically, the govt isn’t going to add more to the coffers of the tricouncils in the near term. The agencies have been dealt their cards. They need to play a different strategy.
Hopefully, we’ll see evidence of significant funding agency changes sooner rather than later. So far, 🦗 and people are voting with their feet. /fin
