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[janedoh]

I am a US citizen considering a move to a TT position in Canada. Are there US funding agencies that will fund research to be carried out in Canada in the physical sciences? Which ones? Would I need a US collaborator?

Thanks!

[spitfire]

I  don't know if you can apply at U.S. funding agencies from a Canadian university; however, you can apply to Canadian funding agencies, which are very good and open to anyone with a position at a Canadian university (citizenship notwithstanding).

Something to keep in mind. Perhaps you can tap both?

[copper]

I'm pretty sure you can't be a PI for NSF.  You can manage a subcontract for a grant that has a US-based PI if you provide expertise that isn't available in the US.  I just submitted a proposal with a Canadian subcontract.  The claim of expertise unavailable in the US seems necessary to appease politicians, not to convince reviewers that no one at all in the U.S. of A. could do what a foreign institution is contributing.

I have a vauge recollection that rules at NIH are different, so they may be different for DOE and NASA, too.

I wouldn't count on US federal funding as your major support, though.

Talk to program officers at agencies you would apply to if you remained in the U.S.

[jackit]

Hi janedoh!

NIH grants can be Canadian-led, and it's not a rarity.  However...it does not help the review scores that you would be taking career-advancement away from a US investigator (Facts-O-Life, kid).

Also consider this:  If you become PI of NIH or NSF grants in the US, you can move with them, essentially keeping your funding sources intact.  If  you go North, you will likely have to drop most of your funding (which will mostly be Canadian) to come back to the US...Go Back Five Spaces.

However...that doesn't make it the wrong move for you!

Good luck,
Jack

[janedoh]

Thanks for the responses. I know that if I move to Canada, I would primarily get funding through Canadian sources. If I make the move, it will be with the intention of settling there--I am tired of moving around.

I am deciding between offers in the US and in Canada, and I just want to make sure I think everything through. My concern is about what would happen if I had to return to the US after 5-10 years (or more) of being out of the US funding loop. Would it kill my academic career? I was thinking that if I could keep a toe in, so to speak, it would help keep my options open.

I appreciate the comments--it is a big change to contemplate, and decreased future mobility seems to be one of the bigger downsides as I think about my options.

[jackit]

....My concern is about what would happen if I had to return to the US after 5-10 years (or more) of being out of the US funding loop. Would it kill my academic career?

It would not kill it -- but it would certainly mean extra work getting back in the funding system.  The key will be to have an ongoing research agenda that is viewed favorably, when and if you do go back to the states.

Good luck!

- Jack