Canada Must Rethink How It Trains and Retains Brain Researchers

To lead in neuroscience and tackle urgent health challenges, Canada must invest in innovative training and create varied, sustainable career pathways for young scientists.

Canada has a strong legacy in cutting-edge brain research, and the future holds immense promise for today’s young brain researchers. They stand on the brink of breakthroughs in areas like depression and dementia, driving innovations that will improve countless lives.

However, Canada’s leadership in brain research is at risk. Many young researchers, confronted with uncertain career prospects, are leaving for opportunities abroad or abandoning academic research altogether. A recent survey of Canadian graduate students revealed that 64% are “likely or very likely” to leave Canada after completing their degrees, citing a lack of job opportunities, inadequate salaries, and insufficient infrastructure as critical factors.

Canada must fortify its brain research ecosystem to reverse this trend by providing young scientists with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive. Strategic investments are required to enhance training and retention and promote open, collaborative and transdisciplinary research. With these investments, Canada can maintain its scientific leadership and address pressing national challenges like mental health, substance use, aging, and the economic cost of brain conditions.

In a recent survey, 64 % of Canadian graduate students indicated they were “likely or very likely” to leave Canada after completing their degree.

The future of brain research is transdisciplinary

The archetype of a lone brain researcher in a lab coat peering through a microscope is outdated. Today, research demands a diverse team of computer scientists, statisticians, engineers and neuroscientists — a shift that reflects the need for a broader, more integrated approach to studying the brain.

True transdisciplinary training doesn’t just merge fields but dismantles traditional boundaries to drive innovation and develop holistic solutions. The fusion between neuroscience and artificial intelligence (AI), which combines brain research with mathematics and computation, exemplifies this approach. This convergence is leading to new brain and AI models and advanced technologies, clinical tools and knowledge. It also creates an opportunity to integrate social sciences and ethics further and align neuroscience and AI with diverse human values and needs.

Unfortunately, Canada’s current brain research ecosystem falls short of supporting true transdisciplinary work. There is a tremendous diversity of expertise at Canadian institutions, large and small, from coast to coast to coast. Yet, researchers lack the training and infrastructure necessary to collaborate across institutions and fields, such as integrating physical and life sciences, clinical experience, lived experience, Indigenous knowledges, and social sciences. This gap limits the effectiveness of brain research and hinders the development of comprehensive treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.

The brain research workforce is global

Brain research is inherently global, with scientists and experts moving across borders to exchange knowledge and collaborate. While this mobility enriches the field, it also creates competition for top talent. Canada must offer compelling opportunities to attract and retain researchers in this competitive landscape.

Despite past investments to create a world-class R&D workforce, Canada is not keeping pace with international competitors or the rapid evolution of brain research. As global research increasingly shifts towards larger-scale, integrated, open collaborations — such as the national brain research initiatives — Canada is well-positioned to make substantial contributions. However, Canada’s existing structures are insufficient to capitalize on opportunities and catalyze transformative breakthroughs.

With global improvements in computational resources, AI and transdisciplinary approaches, the international landscape for brain research is evolving rapidly. To stay competitive and ensure the continued advancement of neuroscience and mental health research, Canada must restructure its approach to training and development, data sharing and collaboration. Doing so will ensure our future brain researchers are well-equipped to lead in this increasingly complex and interconnected field.

Creating more viable career paths in brain research

Addressing career stability and growth opportunities for brain researchers is crucial to solidifying Canada’s role in the global research enterprise. Our current ecosystem has enabled significant scientific advancements but offers too few viable career paths for brain researchers. Leading academic laboratories have been the favoured path. However, many researchers play other roles in advancing science, such as developing innovative tools, managing critical data infrastructure, or communicating findings to knowledge users and the general public, often contributing to much-needed innovations in brain health and clinical care.

Attracting and retaining specialized personnel is essential in a field as intricate as brain research. Yet, the current funding model — dependent on short-term, project-specific grants (1 to 5 years) — fails to offer viable opportunities and career stability. Most grants are insufficient to support highly skilled and experienced research personnel. Consequently, when jobs do exist, they are often short-term, tied to the brief lifespan of a grant, and offer salaries that fall short of what is needed to sustain home ownership and a family in today’s Canadian cities. As a result, the long-term health of the research ecosystem is in jeopardy.

To truly advance brain health — a critical national priority for our country — Canada must implement targeted investments and structural reforms in its research funding policies, including funding mechanisms that complement project-based grants and offer sustained, long-term support for training and innovation. Such reforms will stabilize career pathways and enhance the overall effectiveness of the research ecosystem.

Conclusion

To fully capitalize on Canada’s investments in brain research, we must ensure that emerging scientists are supported and retained. By improving career stability and fostering a more integrated and inclusive research environment, we can keep talented young brain researchers in Canada and help them thrive. These investments are not just about advancing science — they are about shaping a future where Canada leads in addressing brain health challenges. Investing in our brightest minds today will secure a healthier, more prosperous future for all Canadians.

This editorial reflects the key insights and diverse perspectives shared during a panel discussion organized by the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, featuring experts in brain research and mental health. The content is a synthesis of their contributions and discussions.