To date, the UofM Faculty of Medicine has managed to mobilize the research centres at its 13 affiliated hospitals so that they will earmark money from their budgets or foundations to provide grants to young researchers. After studying for ten years, most of them would like to be able to find a permanent position as a professor or researcher in the university system or in hospitals. However, severe budget cuts by various levels of government have dampened their hopes of working in their field. The situation is further complicated by lower funding levels to higher education and health.
Young people find they have fewer employment prospects.
For them it is crucial that they obtain research grants if they are to advance in their field of research. The grants will be distributed over three years, during which researchers will enjoy the same employment benefits as appear in their professors' contracts. By the end of this period, the Faculty of Medicine may be able to offer positions to some, if not all of these young scientists. In fact, based on our projections, hiring should resume in the year 2003. The second edition of the bicycle rally will be held on September 12, 1999.