A departmental plan describes a department's priorities, plans, and associated costs for the upcoming 3 fiscal years.
Key priorities
The NRC's top priorities for 2025–26 are as follows:
- Climate change and sustainability
- Health and biomanufacturing
- Digital and quantum technologies
- Foundational research
Highlights
In 2025–26, total planned spending (including internal services) for the NRC is $1,762,178,965 and total planned full-time equivalent staff (including internal services) is 4477.2. For complete information on the NRC's total planned spending and human resources, read the Planned spending and human resources section of the full plan.
The following provides a summary of the department's planned achievements for 2025–26 according to its approved Departmental Results Framework. A Departmental Results Framework consists of a department's core responsibilities, the results it plans to achieve, and the performance indicators that measure progress toward these results.
Core responsibility 1: Science and innovation
Planned spending: $1,565,691,658
Planned human resources: 3,411
Departmental results:
- Scientific and technological knowledge advances: The NRC will conduct research aimed at achieving significant advancements in priority areas that create opportunities for Canada and the world. By undertaking impactful exploratory research, the NRC will equip its partners with the resources and expertise they need to advance their knowledge and innovate. This year, focus areas include advancing quantum science, working toward digital transformation and continuing our mandates related to astronomy and metrology.
- Innovative businesses grow: The NRC will foster innovation and economic prosperity in Canada through its research and development, advisory services, funding and partnerships with Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and global collaborators. The NRC will provide industry with access to the most relevant business and technical knowledge, facilities and expertise so firms can bring innovative ideas to market, enhance their capabilities and connect with global markets and value chains. Priorities this year will include broadening domestic and global networks, continuing to support SME innovation and growth and working to accelerate Canada's transition to a green economy.
- Evidence-based solutions inform decisions in government priority areas: The NRC has a rich history of advancing government priorities by providing evidence-based solutions and high-quality collaborative research. In partnership with key federal and industry stakeholders in research and technology advancement, the NRC will continue to pioneer innovations that address some of Canada's greatest challenges. Current priorities include helping Canada increase the productivity of its housing construction sector, supporting initiatives for healthy Canadians, helping Canada adapt to climate change and building intentional relationships with Indigenous peoples that support the advancement of reconciliation in Canada.
More information about science and innovation can be found in the full plan.