Conservatives to cut NSERC funding in Canada.

The Canadian government, under the leadership of the Harper Conservatives, are trying to cut the levels of NSERC (National Sciences and Engineering Research Counsel) at the Masters level. They plan to reduce the maximum time a masters level student can hold the award to a single year and the new limitations will start with the 2009 competition.

The NSERC awards are intended grant promising students the means to pursue ambitious research plans. The award provides enough money to cover tuition and living expenses allowing the student to focus on research rather than making ends meat through Teaching Assistant fellowships or part time employment. In times like these we should be striving to maintain our scientific and engineering work force and we should be fostering innovation. Cutting the NSERC funding undermines both of these goals.

I would like to encourage you to write your premier and encourage them to reconsider this move.