A departmental results report provides an account of actual accomplishments against plans, priorities and expected results set out in the associated Departmental Plan
Key priorities
The NRC's top priorities for 2023-24 were as follows:
- Business innovation and growth
- Quantum and digital technology solutions
- Health and biomanufacturing
- Climate change and sustainability
To facilitate research excellence and innovation, the NRC continued to emphasize:
- Equity, diversity and inclusive innovation
- Collaboration and partnerships
- Health and safety
Highlights
In 2023-24, total actual spending (including internal services) for the NRC was $1,525,980,654 and total full-time equivalent staff (including internal services) was 4,323.2. For complete information on the NRC's total spending and human resources, read the Spending and human resources section of the full report.
The following provides a summary of the NRC's achievements in 2023-24 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
Actual spending: $1,328,737,018
Actual human resources: 3,263.3
Departmental results achieved
- Scientific and technological knowledge advances: The NRC made significant advancements in research and innovation and advancing foundational research that underpins scientific breakthroughs, and worked with leading Canadian innovators to advance digital, quantum, and nanotechnologies for real-world applications. The NRC promoted talent development through initiatives that support early career scientists, provide opportunities for collaboration and growth, and build leaders from all backgrounds that strive for research excellence.
- Innovative businesses grow: The NRC enhanced support for innovative businesses by connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with critical resources, expertise, and scientific infrastructure, both nationally and internationally, and fostered economic growth by leveraging its intellectual property (IP) portfolio to commercialize Canadian research. This included licensing new technologies to advance sustainable mining, carbon-neutral battery materials, energy reduction of built environments, and health technologies to help Canadians access cutting-edge innovations.
- Evidence-based solutions inform decisions in government priority areas: The NRC developed technological solutions and evidence-based guidance to support its public partners in addressing the most pressing challenges facing Canadians. Solutions include initiatives to promote low-carbon construction and resilient infrastructure, clean fuels, nature-based solutions to climate emergencies, oceans monitoring and food security, as well as collaborations that contribute to Canada's clean technology sector, reduce emissions and decrease the environmental footprint.
More information about the NRC's core responsibility of Science and Innovation can be found in the Results – what we achieved section of the full departmental results report.