A Leading Canadian University Makes A Pitch For Top U.S. PhD Students

Forbes

09-07-2025

Western University has announced a lucrative bid to recruit top U.S. doctoral students to pursue ... More their graduate education in Canada.
Western University, one of Canada's leading public research universities, is launching an initiative aimed at luring away top-tier PhD students from the U.S.
The recently announced US-CAN Doctoral Excellence Awards are specifically designed to attract doctoral students who have been 'impacted by the recent changes in higher education in the United States.'
The new program is being selective in its outreach, however, targeting students who 'have received an offer from, or have had an offer rescinded by a doctoral program at an American university ranked on the Top 100 QS Top Universities or the Top 100 Times Higher Education (THE)' Applicants must also meet the admission requirements of the Western doctoral program they are seeking to join.
The initiative will provide 25 PhD students up to $160,000 CAD ($40,000 per year) for up to four years of study in one of the university's research-based doctoral programs. It also features an expedited admissions process and special support in securing a thesis supervisor.
A founding member of the U15, which is Canada's group of most distinguished research universities, Western University is located in London, Ontario. While the institution's official name remains the University of Western Ontario, it was rebranded Western University in 2012.
Western's pitch to U.S. doctoral students is part of a larger strategy to boost its graduate and postdoctoral footprint.
As part of that effort, it's doubling its Postdoctoral Fellowship Program from 19 to 40 awards. That program offers a $70,000 annual stipend for two years plus benefits, a small research allowance, and a $15,000 top-up for postdoctoral scholars holding federal awards.
'These investments come at a critical time, as global competition for research talent continues to intensify. Early career scholars are looking for institutions that offer not only financial support, but also stability, mentorship and a clear path to impact,' said Florentine Strzelczyk, provost and academic vice-president at Western University, in a news release. 'By expanding our support for both postdoctoral scholars and doctoral students, Western is strengthening its research capacity and demonstrating a long-term commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars and innovators.'
According to the announcement, Western University receives more than $267 million in annual research funding and offers over 50 doctoral programs across the sciences, humanities and social sciences. Currently, there are more than 2,500 doctoral students and 300 postdoctoaral scholars at Western.
'Western offers a strong, supportive and inclusive research environment where top global talent can pursue impactful work amid a rapidly changing post-secondary landscape,' said Kamran Siddiqui, Western Univeristy's vice-provost for graduate and postdoctoral studies. 'We look forward to welcoming new researchers whose research, scholarship and creative activity is advancing solutions to the complex challenges facing society.'
Canadian universities have seen a surge in applications from U.S. graduate students in recent months, an indication of the uncertainty students are feeling as the Trump administration continues its campaign to reshape higher education in this country. According to Reuters, the University of British Columbia reported a 27% increase in graduate applications from the U.S. as of March, and the University of Toronto and University of Waterloo have also observed increased interest by U.S. students.
With many U.S. universities finding their research funding slashed, they've cut back on PhD admissions and financial support. In addition, their international students are being singled out for legal proceedings, and academic freedom at several prominent institutions is coming under increasing fire from a series of unprecedented government demands and hastily conducted investigations.
It should come as no surprise that American graduate students are searching for more supportive environments where they can pursue their studies. Look for more Canadian universities to be rolling out the red carpet for them.