Manitoba researchers are calling for increased funding from the provincial government to support research and to attract and retain talent, following Premier Wab Kinew’s invitation for U.S. scientists to come to Manitoba.
In an open letter addressed to Kinew and provincial ministers dated April 8, researchers from the U of M, University of Brandon and University of Winnipeg highlighted the “pressing need to address significant shortfalls in local research funding.”
The letter comes after remarks made by Kinew on March 28 which called for U.S. scientists struggling with restrictions imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to come to 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,” says the letter which has been signed by over 250 researchers.
Research funding down by over $10M annually, adjusted for inflation
Annual program expenditures from Research Manitoba have declined from $26.02M in 2016 to $12.69M in 2023 when adjusted for inflation, or 51 per cent, according to Robert Beattie, assistant professor in the U of M’s department of biochemistry and medical genetics.
Research Manitoba program expenditures in 2025 dollar amounts. Data obtained from Research Manitoba annual reports and adjusted for inflation by Robert Beattie. Graph by Milan Lukes
Research Manitoba is a provincial agency that “promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities in Manitoba,” according to the agency’s website.
The agency receives funding from the province through the department of advanced education and training and was established in 2014, bringing together multiple research funding programs.
“There’s been a big cut,” said Beattie, adding that “researchers have been trying to make do with what we have.”
“Our aim is simply to remind ministers that investment in research must not be overlooked.”
The latest annual report on Research Manitoba’s website reveals 2024 program expenditures amounting to $14.38M.
Beattie referred to funding from Research Manitoba as “the first seed funds that really allows your lab to test out a new idea, to generate that preliminary data that’s required to take it to the next level.”
He stated that findings from initial studies can then be used to obtain funding from national or international sources.
“My biggest fear is the fact that those labs may not get the start that they need, and there’s missed opportunity,” he said.
Call to restore Research Manitoba’s budget to at least 2016 levels
The open letter calls for the provincial government to set forward a “bold commitment to a multi-year plan that restores Research Manitoba’s budget to at least 2016 levels, adjusted for inflation.”
It also states that, “while welcoming U.S. academics could be a historic opportunity to expand Manitoba’s research potential, significant research investments are still required to realize that potential.”
Beattie acknowledged that he knows colleagues that left Manitoba because the financial support to establish their research program here was insufficient.
“I would say every single faculty member I know knows of people like that,” he added.
Beattie stated that despite the funding challenges, Manitoba is “punching way above our weight,” noting that the U of M ranked 8th in research output amongst Canada’s 15 most research-intensive universities.
We will ‘continue moving in the right direction,’ says province
The provincial government announced a $100,000 increase to Research Manitoba in Budget 2025. Photo by Faith Peters
“Our government values the work of Manitoba’s researchers and post-secondary institutions, which is why we’ve increased funding to Research Manitoba twice since coming into office,” stated a provincial spokesperson in response to the open letter.
The statement mentions that Minister of Advanced Education and Training Renée Cable met with several researchers last week to discuss issues in the letter “and had a very productive conversations about the challenges they face after the previous PC government decimated research funding.
“We will continue to work with researchers and post-secondary institutions to continue moving in the right direction and to support important research opportunities in Manitoba.”
The 2025 provincial budget called for a $100,000 increase to Research Manitoba.
“We’re deeply grateful for the support provided by Research Manitoba, but we also believe our province has the potential to achieve much more with further investments,” stated Beattie.
