Scientists from developing countries need programs to help them give back to their countries of origin, Canadian researchers say.

The team conducted a year-long study of attitudes and experiences of 60 scientists and entrepreneurs from developing countries who now live in Canadian cities.

Researchers from the University of Toronto's Joint Centre for Bioethics and the McLaughlin Centre for Molecular
Medicine concluded there is a "lack of communication and co-ordination" for scientific diaspora.

There was little systematic interaction between those surveyed and their countries of origin, and many participants said they were unaware of how they could contribute, the team reports in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

"Immigration, innovation, aid and trade policies are interdependent," said study co-author and bioethicist Béatrice Séguin in a release.

Given that the federal government has said it's a priority to assess the credentials of professionals immigrating to Canada, there is an opportunity to create formal ways for diaspora scientists to give back to their countries of origin, Séguin said.

Participants cited barriers including:

• Lack of time.
• Financial barriers.
• Lack of infrastructure in their country of origin.
• Not being asked to contribute.
• Not wanting to hinder their careers in Canada.

To increase the effectiveness of a hypothetical diaspora program, participants asked for:

• Training  programs in developing countries.
• Web-based lessons.
• Grant-writing advice and mentoring.
• Funding for joint research projects between researchers in Canada and developing countries.

Supporting the scientific diasporas of developing countries would help developed countries to enhance their international competitiveness and productivity, while fostering innovation in developing countries, the study's authors said.