The department shaved $20 million from the $800-million fund as part of government-wide budget cuts, The Hill Times reported, to the surprise of recipients who had already signed deals to receive funding. (The Hill Times)

Talking point: Last year, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne asked departments to reduce existing spending by 15 per cent over the next three years, and make sure all programs serve the prime minister’s new economy-focused mandate. At the same time, Ottawa has pledged to attract international researchers and make major investments in Canadian research, particularly in defence. The cuts will affect 17 of the 19 organizations that have signed contribution agreements under the Strategic Science Fund, though they won’t see the reductions until 2028-29. The email to recipients obtained by The Hill Times said the decision won’t interfere with the fund’s next call for applications.