Latest news with #ResearchManitoba
Winnipeg Free Press
01-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Big ideas don't grow by chance
Opinion Premier Wab Kinew's recent appeal to U.S.-based researchers facing uncertainty to consider relocating to Manitoba is an encouraging and forward-thinking move. As a result of growing threats to university funding and research south of the border, Manitoba can emerge as a hub for research talent. But if we truly want to capitalize on that potential, we must act strategically by strengthening the foundation of the research ecosystem we already have here at home and then building upon that in a purposeful way. As a group of researchers from across Manitoba recently articulated in an open letter to the premier, meaningful investment at scale and a long-term vision for local research is the essential first step. Without it, the province risks missing a rare opportunity to lead. Despite the premier's welcome message to American researchers, the facts are that Manitoba ranks last in Canada when it comes to provincial per-capita research funding. Since 2016, Research Manitoba's budget has been cut from $17.1 million to just $12 million in 2023 — a staggering reduction, even before adjusting for inflation. These cuts have undermined Manitoba's capacity to leverage federal research funding, and to recruit and retain top research talent. Investment in research isn't just an academic issue — it's an economic one that affects all Manitobans. Research is directly linked to the productivity and innovation of a province and nation. Studies show that for every dollar invested in research in Manitoba, four dollars are returned to the economy. These dollars create jobs in construction and infrastructure as new labs, equipment and spaces are created. Research also supports new career opportunities for current and future Manitoba students, enhancing the value of programs and improving their earning potential for a lifetime. However, big ideas don't just come to fruition by chance. They require sustained support from conceptualization to commercialization, where academia and industry work hand in hand. That's why we also need a strategy for the long-term vision of Manitoba research. Our province has many strengths — agriculture, transportation and logistics, Arctic accessibility, health sciences to name a few — and we need a co-ordinated approach developed by academia and government that allocates increased funding to ensure these world-class abilities become world-leading. This plan would not only support our best and brightest but identify the next generation of talent and provide the resources needed to meet their full potential. Despite the shortage of provincial funding, the University of Manitoba is delivering real-world solutions to pressing societal problems through external support. For nearly 150 years, researchers at U of M have been at the centre of discovery and innovation, generating new ideas, products and services that are impactful around the world. A team of U of M researchers recently developed a cutting-edge solution for detecting kidney disease earlier, called the uCR-Chip, a portable diagnostic tool that doesn't rely on costly lab equipment. This made-in-Manitoba innovation will improve health outcomes for individuals with kidney disease, expand access to care for rural, remote and Indigenous communities, and reduce pressure on the health-care system. Nevertheless, provincial support for these and other great ideas remains alarmingly low. In 2023-24, nearly 38 per cent of UM's research income came from federal sources, with 57 per cent coming from foundations, industry and other grant sources. But only five per cent is from the province. While we do punch above our weight in receiving research grants from external sources, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from which U of M receives more than any other Canadian post-secondary institution, much more is needed from the province if we want to compete on a national or global scale. Turbulent times can reveal new opportunities. While the government's interest in recruiting talent from abroad is promising, it must be matched with a long-term commitment to support the researchers already here. Now is the time for bold action to restore and expand Research Manitoba's funding and lay the foundation for Manitoba-based discovery and innovation to thrive. Michael Benarroch is president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manitoba, and Mario Pinto is vice-president (Research and International) at the University of Manitoba.
CBC
08-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Manitoba researchers decry funding cuts after premier's invitation to U.S. scientists
A call from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew for scientists in the U.S. to consider moving here has researchers in this province demanding more funding to give those who relocate a reason to stay. In an open letter to the provincial government, dozens of scientists, researchers and academics questioned how it expects to attract new talent, given cuts to the agency responsible for providing the bulk of research funding in Manitoba. "Manitoba currently ranks last in Canada for provincial per capita research funding — a stark reality that contradicts the government's recent enthusiasm for attracting international researchers," states the letter, which by Monday evening had received nearly 250 signatures. The letter was spurred by comments Kinew made during a scrum with reporters at the Legislative Building on March 28. He said the province is planning to engage in outreach to U.S. scientists, many of whom have faced funding cuts and restrictions on their academic freedom under the administration of President Donald Trump. "And what I would say is, come to Manitoba," Kinew said. Those comments drew mixed reactions from Manitobans like Robert Beattie, an assistant professor in the department of biochemistry and medical genetics at the University of Manitoba, and the lead author of the letter. He says cuts to Research Manitoba — which funds studies on health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities — began under the previous Progressive Conservative government, but recent budgets have done little to reverse the trend. When adjusted for inflation, funding for the agency fell by nearly 60 per cent, from more than $31 million in 2016, to $13 million in 2023. The 2025 budget includes a $100,000 increase to Research Manitoba. Beattie says he and others in the province would welcome new research talent from south of the border, but he worries a lack of available funding will limit how much Manitoba can take advantage of the opportunities. "It's hard to foresee how we can welcome new researchers into the province when we are already struggling to keep the current ones here," he said in an interview. Dylan MacKay, another signatory to the letter, has faced the consequences of the province's funding cuts. "I started my independent career in 2018…. And just as I was coming into the time where I could be applying for that [funding], the pool of money that I could apply for dropped by more than 50 per cent," said MacKay, who researches nutrition and chronic diseases at the U of M. MacKay has worked on recruiting committees, and has had difficulty filling positions as candidates take opportunities in other provinces. "Research is like a seed, right? You need good soil and care and the right environment to get that maximum potential. And that hasn't been the case in the last 10 years…. The soil has dried up." Minister plans to meet with researchers Advanced Education Minister Renée Cable told CBC News she plans to meet with the researchers on Tuesday morning. She said increasing research funding is a priority for the provincial government. "I know the goals in the last two years was to stop the bleeding as we've seen sort of across government, the previous administration cut and cut and cut some more," Cable said. "[Current funding] may not feel like enough. We're pleased that we've stopped the cuts now and we're moving in the right direction." In the letter, Beattie writes that funding research is a sound investment for governments, yielding at least $4 for every $1 invested.
