Alternative format
PDF version (121 KB)
Prepared by:
Office of Audit and Evaluation
National Research Council Canada
Approval:
This report was approved by the NRC's president on June 26, 2020
Cat. No. NR16-321/2-2020E-PDF
ISBN 978-0-660-34899-5
The full report is available on the NRC's website: Evaluation
Background
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC)’s Aerospace Research Centre supports industry and other government departments to create, advance and apply world-leading aerospace capabilities in Canada for the benefit of society. Its research is organized into five laboratories: Aerodynamics, Aerospace Manufacturing, Flight Research, Gas Turbines, and Structures and Materials Performance. It is one of the NRC’s largest research centres in terms of both budget and staff.
| Budget | Resources | Projects |
|---|---|---|
|
Earnings of $196.7 million Direct expenses of $193.4 million (during the evaluation period) |
354 employees Ottawa and Montréal |
|
About the Evaluation
The evaluation assessed the research centre’s relevance and performance for the period of 2012-13 to 2018-19. The evaluation was carried out by the NRC’s internal Evaluation team and drew on the following methods: a bibliometric study, data review, document review, internal and external interviews, a client survey, and a peer review by experts from industry, government, and academia.
Results
| Impact on Business Innovation |
|
|---|---|
| Advancement of Scientific Knowledge |
|
| Government Policy Solutions |
|
Appropriateness of research
- New strategic focus on emerging technology well-aligned with industry and government needs
- Increased communication and direction to staff required to ensure clarity of purpose and alignment of efforts within the research centre
Stakeholder engagement
- Effectively engaged with its major industry clients and most of its government clients
- Plans to enhance outreach to, and collaboration with, universities and SMEs
- Peer review committee found no clear plan or mechanism to ensure successful engagement with these two groups
Capabilities
- Available capacities, competencies and facilities to achieve objectives, but continued action needed to shift to new strategic areas and address overwork and stress
- Timely decisions critical, regarding upkeep and maintenance of research facilities and aircraft
- Need for facility investments and a clearly communicated way-forward