Montréal mobilized to attract top researchers from the U.S.
The City of Montréal, in collaboration with Montréal International and Montréal-based universities, is launching a campaign to attract scientists and researchers currently based in the United States of America (USA) and seeking to advance their career in a more open, inclusive and innovative environment. Montréal is mobilizing its key players – universities, promotion agencies and institutions – to send out a clear message: the city has all the ingredients to position itself as a top destination for research and innovation.
Montréal provides over $100,000 in a promotional campaign and research funding
The City of Montréal’s funding of $100,000 will be distributed in two folds:
- $50,000 is provided to Montréal International to carry out a promotional campaign that positions Montréal as a key destination in North America for research and innovation.
- $50,000 to create 5 research scholarships of $10,000 (each) for doctoral and post-doctoral students that currently reside in the USA and wish to advance their research in Montréal.
Montréal International and Montréal’s higher education institutions are also contributing to this initiative, notably by helping to finance the campaign and by supporting the integration of successful candidates.
This campaign is part of the city’s strategy to anchor Montréal’s position as a leading scientific metropolis and to stimulate innovation by attracting international talent.
Montréal: a dynamic and recognized research ecosystem
According to a recent survey conducted for Nature Portfolio, 75% of scientists based in the USA are considering relocation in the wake of recent political decisions. Montréal, the university capital of Canada and the best student city in the Americas, is stepping up to offer them a welcome that matches their talents and ambitions.
This campaign, carried out in partnership with Montréal International and the academic community, sends out a clear message: Montréal offers a strong breeding ground for research and innovation. Businesses and the city’s scientific community are encouraged to spread the word and help promote Montréal as a centre of excellence.
Quotes
“Montréal has always been a magnet for talent from around the world, and the current situation in the United States offers the city a unique opportunity. Today, we are reaffirming our commitment to offering scientists and researchers in the United States a dynamic, inclusive environment that supports innovation. As the leading student city in the Americas, Montréal is recognized abroad for the quality of its higher education institutions, for its vibrant research ecosystem and for its open-minded community. With this campaign, we are sending out a strong message: here in Montréal, your ideas and ambitions will find an open, world-class research ecosystem ready to support you”, said the Mayor of Montréal, Valérie Plante.
“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to making Montréal a knowledge-based metropolis with a global reputation. We are proud to be a leading hub for academia in North America. By welcoming researchers from the United States, we are strengthening our scientific ecosystem while providing skilled individuals with a solid platform to contribute to our collective prosperity,” added Luc Rabouin, member of the City of Montréal’s Executive Committee, responsible for economic development and higher education.
“This initiative is perfectly aligned with our mission to promote Greater Montréal’s economic and business assets abroad. Our universities play an essential role, shining a bright light on our city, and promoting an inclusive, collaborative, and results-oriented research environment. To give a taste of this dynamic, three researchers who are well-known in their respective fields have lend their voices to share what Montréal has to offer the scientific community,” said Stéphane Paquet, President and CEO of Montréal International.
The campaign, which includes a video, will be launched before the end of June in the United States, mainly on the LinkedIn network. It will highlight the work of Lucien Weiss (biophysics and single-molecule microscopy), Rachel Bouserhal (hearing health and early detection of diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s) and Sasha Luccioni (artificial intelligence, ethics and climate). Print posters are also being displayed on some university campuses.