A new $100 million genomics research fund has been created to prevent Ontario scientist from fleeing to U.S. laboratories. Since the federal government cut $147.9 million from three agencies that grant research funds to universities back in January, scientists have been drawn to Barak Obama’s generous $15 billion scientific research fund.

The announcement was made on May 4, 2009 at Queen’s Park in an attempt to keep these great minds here in Ontario. In the past, the province has attracted some of the world’s best researchers from Asia, Europe and the United States. Now the challenge is to prevent these individuals from going south of the border.

According to the government, the new funding for genomics research will support “globally significant, collaborative research projects.” Researches will have up until the August 31, 2009 to apply. The $100 million Global Leadership Round in Genomics and Life Sciences will be distributed to selected applicants. The fund will be administered by the Ministry of Research and Innovation.

With competition south of our border, will the new funding help position Ontario as a leader in significant advances in stem cell and genomics research? How do you feel Ontario is positioning itself for the future in comparison to the US?