‘Western is making a bold investment,’ London’s university is expanding funding designed to attract researchers from US colleges

With funding slashed for research projects in the United States, Western’s increasing funding for doctoral and postdoctoral students. CTV’s Gerry Dewan reports.

A cloud of uncertainty for researchers at American colleges has prompted Western University to offer incentives that could bring them to London.

Under the Trump administration, funding for research projects across the United States has been slashed or is at risk of being cut.

Florentine Strzelczyk is provost and vice-president (academic) for the university. “Western is making a bold investment in the next generation of researchers,” she said.

Strzelczyk told CTV News that Western is significantly expanding initiatives designed to attract doctoral and post-doctoral researchers who have expressed an interest in coming to London.

“The postdoctoral program has received an extraordinary attention. And so, we are doubling the program from 19 students to 40 students, actually.”

The postdoctoral fellowship program includes a $70,000 stipend for two years which includes benefits. There’s a research allowance and those attracting federal awards receive a $15,000 top-up.

Strzelczyk adds that the researchers will have highly respected mentors. “The students who will apply to the program will be supported by our world class researchers and they will receive the training and the mentorship to continue or launch their careers.”

There will be 25 positions for doctoral students, each receiving $160,000 over four years. Strzelczyk said the opportunities aren’t exclusive to those currently studying in the U.S.

She’s hopeful that whoever the program attracts, they’ll opt to continue to have foundation in London, “Those students can launch their careers, fulfill their dreams here, and become possibly members of our community carrying that innovation potential into whatever career they aspire to.”

Strzelczyk notes that money for the doctoral and post-doctoral initiatives comes from existing funds available for these types of opportunities.