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When COVID-19 disrupted the world in 2020, the National Research Council of Canada pivoted to support the Government of Canada-wide response and to help protect the health and safety of Canadians.
Learn more about how we have been working to make a difference in Canada in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccines and therapeutics
In an effort to slow and eventually stop the spread of the virus, the NRC is working with partners to advance research and technology development for therapies and vaccines to treat and prevent COVID-19.
Building the infrastructure
The NRC is preparing to manufacture COVID‑19 vaccines in Canada for Canadians, with construction in progress on a new Good Manufacturing Practices compliant Biologics Manufacturing Centre on Royalmount Avenue, in Montréal.
Testing and diagnostics
To fight the spread of COVID‑19, the Government of Canada is focussed on building capacity in Canada to develop innovative testing and diagnostic solutions, and purchase essential supplies using existing industrial and innovation programs like the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program.
Personal protective equipment and sterilization
The NRC is working to ensure the safety and effectiveness of PPE in Canada by lending its expertise to develop PPE and the capability to test its performance, providing testing services for PPE and decontamination equipment, and funding research and development for innovative, made-in-Canada solutions to keep Canadians safe.
Digital health and analytics
NRC is working on new ways to use digital health technologies to help alleviate the impact of this global crisis.
Canadian companies at the forefront
Since March 2020, the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) has been mobilizing to support small and medium-sized technology and innovation businesses (SMEs) that can contribute to the collective COVID-19 effort, and protect those struggling in the face of the pandemic to ensure Canada can emerge from this global crisis with its best foot forward.
Connecting with the community
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Canadian organizations looked to the NRC for expertise in medical devices, engineering, biology, and health and safety equipment, or to support them in advancing innovative COVID-19 solutions through testing, validation, and advice. To help address these needs and requests from various sectors, we created the Community Support Initiative.
Meet our people
Our world-class researchers are working around the clock to support Canada's response to COVID-19. From research to resource tools, they are proud to be able to make a difference.
Government of Canada - Vaccine Task Force
Comprised of multidisciplinary experts and industry leaders in the field of vaccines, the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force (VTF) provides invaluable insight, on a volunteer basis, to help the Government of Canada make sound evidence‑based decisions to protect the health and safety of Canadians during the pandemic.