American scientists and increasing research funding

Opinion

Born in Vestfold, Man., the son of Icelandic immigrants, Dr. Baldur Stefansson helped transform a bitter, inedible plant into one of the world’s most valuable crops.

His work at the University of Manitoba led to the development of canola — a discovery that reshaped global agriculture, created thousands of jobs, and positioned Manitoba as a leader in agri-food innovation.

Canola oil on your kitchen shelf started in Manitoba — and it began with a public investment in research.

We are four research scientists and parents who chose to build our lives and careers in Manitoba. Two of us grew up here and returned to take up faculty positions. Two of us moved from other provinces to join the University of Manitoba. Between us, we’ve worked in four provinces and six countries. We all believe in Manitoba’s potential — as a place to raise our families and to do world-class research.

Unfortunately, over the past decade, we have all seen many strong researchers leave Manitoba as they are recruited to provinces that offer better support to their research programs.

Right now, Manitoba has a rare opportunity. The U.S. is becoming increasingly hostile to science, and as Premier Wab Kinew recently announced, “Manitoba is ready to accept those academics to come and do that research here.”

We are excited to expand our research community in Manitoba, and yet we are asking ourselves: how can we hope to attract and retain top talent if there isn’t enough funding to support the researchers already here?

Recruitment without retention won’t build the future Manitoba deserves. Indeed, we already see recruitment postings go unfilled as prospective applicants get more competitive offers elsewhere.

New researchers who come to Manitoba bring enormous potential, but that potential is like a seed; it needs the right soil and care to maximize its growth. Researchers in Manitoba are struggling after years of provincial cuts. Since 2016, funding for Research Manitoba has dropped by nearly 60 per cent when adjusted for inflation — making us the lowest per capita funder in the country.

Every day we see the power of research to make life better around us: medical breakthroughs that improve quality of life, improved crop yields that increase food security and keep local agriculture sustainable, innovations in technology and manufacturing that put more dollars into the pockets of Manitobans.

Work done in research labs drive private sector growth and supports the “Buy Canadian” economy we all believe in. Manitoba is also home to leading scholars in the humanities and social sciences, whose research shapes how we understand our histories, cultures, languages, and the social and political systems we live within. Their work helps us examine and respond to complex challenges — from Indigenous reconciliation to migration, education, mental health, and democratic governance. Just like in the sciences, their research drives innovation, informs policy, and helps communities thrive.

Manitoba has unique strengths in bioscience, agriculture, and clean tech. These are homegrown industries with deep ties to our universities and research institutions, and they depend on continued public investment to remain competitive and grow.

Manitoba universities are already filled with internationally recognized leaders who secure national and international grants, drive innovation, and train the next generation of researchers, educators, health-care workers, business and community leaders. Retaining this talent and the knowledge economy they help build is becoming harder every year.

As parents, we want our kids to grow up in a province that values learning, innovation, curiosity, and care. A place where they can dream big and have the support to turn those dreams into something tangible — a discovery, a company, a policy, that improves the lives of Manitobans, Canadians, and people worldwide.

The next semaglutide (Ozempic), the next canola — transformative discoveries like these could happen here. But they won’t without serious investment.

Research Manitoba shouldn’t be a budgetary afterthought. Every dollar spent on research returns at least four to the economy — and many more in long-term health, social, and environmental benefit. Research isn’t a luxury; it’s one of the best investments a government can make. When we invest in research — across disciplines — we build a more informed, equitable, and resilient society.

The good news? Investing in research is a great deal. And if there is one thing Manitobans love, it’s a great deal.

This one pays for itself many times over in jobs, in discoveries, in a better, more economically competitive Manitoba, and in a future we want our children to inherit. Let’s give them the opportunity to grow up in a province that believes in its people, its ideas, and its potential.

Dr. Robert Beattie is assistant professor in biochemistry and medical genetics, Dr. Dylan MacKay is assistant professor in food and human nutritional sciences and internal medicine, Dr. Lauren Kelly is associate professor in pharmacology and therapeutics, and community health sciences and Dr. Aleeza Gerstein is associate professor in microbiology and statistics. All are at the University of Manitoba.