More than 2,000 Canadian scientists have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper decrying budget cuts in science, especially at a time when President Obama is bolstering research in the United States.

The open letter says the American president “is taking advantage of the current financial crisis to push his country forward in new directions by greatly boosting funding to scientific research and education as a means to jump-start innovation in a new economy. The scope of his vision is stunning, including an increase of more than $15-billion in scientific research, and a promise to double the funding for education in the next 10 years.”

The letter contrasts Mr. Obama’s approach with the Canadian government’s budget plans, which saw more than $145-million cut from grant-making agencies. The letter, noting that American researchers are being actively courted for ideas, says many Canadian scientists feel they are at a competitive disadvantage.

One organizer of the letter is Nassif Ghoussoub, a mathematician at the University of British Columbia. He said Canadian researchers had themselves to blame for not making a stronger case before the budget cuts were announced. He added that he wants an open, constructive dialogue so Canada can continue to attract and retain top talent, according to an interview with The Globe and Mail. —Karen Birchard