National Research Council Canada's 2025–26 Departmental Plan

Advancing quantum science and technology

Quantum science holds significant promise for ground-breaking technologies. With potential for cross-cutting applications, quantum science and technologies are expected to drive advances in critical areas such as health care, climate change, transportation and cybersecurity. The NRC will leverage its scientific expertise and collaborate with partners in quantum sensing, computing and communications to further innovations in quantum science and technologies.

• Through the Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge program, the NRC will launch a suite of projects with academic and industry partners to accelerate the development and commercialization of quantum sensors that perform beyond the limits of classical physics for priority application areas that benefit Canadians.
• To support Canada's quantum communications efforts, the NRC is launching the Quantum Internetworking Challenge program to advance the underlying technologies required to reliably transport quantum information between different kinds of devices. By working with other innovators to transform quantum technologies from individual components into interconnected quantum systems, the NRC will advance Canadian efforts for secure quantum communication.
• The NRC will also work with Canada's leading academic and quantum industry innovators to apply hybrid quantum-machine learning approaches and use early quantum computers to realize significant performance gains over classical computing techniques. Early applications to accelerate drug and material discovery can provide a competitive advantage for Canada's pharmaceutical sector, while also informing the scale-up of quantum computers.

These efforts, along with the NRC's other quantum-related Challenge programs, will support the Government of Canada's National Quantum Strategy. Established in January 2023, the strategy brings government, academic and industrial partners together to amplify Canada's existing global leadership in quantum research and grow Canada's quantum technologies, companies and talent.

Continuing toward digital transformation

Digital technologies are transforming the world at an accelerating rate. Countries around the world are making considerable investments to develop technologies that improve economic performance and increase competitiveness. The NRC will leverage its 30 years of experience developing and deploying digital technologies to position Canada to capitalize on the commercialization of this space and contribute to evolving this growing sector. Particular focus will be placed on research that supports the safety and trustworthiness of AI-powered solutions. This includes research on privacy-enhancing technologies, methods to better manage security vulnerabilities and approaches to make robust AI systems safer and more transparent. This year, the NRC will focus on advancing encryption methods that are resilient to quantum computing threats. This research caters to the immediate and future needs of various sectors and involves collaborations with academic and industry partners.

Digital technologies are also transforming how research is conducted, with faster use of data, faster computers and multidisciplinary teams leading to faster discoveries and technology developments. To this end, the NRC will make strategic investments in digitalization in an effort toward a digital research environment in which data is mobilized for high-quality, innovative research and solutions. This will accelerate the NRC's own scientific discovery efforts and demonstrate to clients and collaborators the transformative potential of digital technologies and applications. Planned investments in digital capabilities for this year include an increase in sensors, data installations and advanced computer capacity for modelling and automation.

Government and industry clients will also benefit from the NRC's digital expertise. Provision of technical and advisory services will help them adopt fit-for-purpose solutions to improve their operations or products and facilitate their own digital transformation. As an example, the NRC will work with participating departments from Canada's new Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre to develop models that augment global monitoring, understanding and predictability of Atlantic freshwater and coastal ecosystems. These models can provide valuable insights for both industry and military applications.

Ensuring Canadian astronomers have access to world-leading facilities and observatories

Astronomy and astrophysics continue to make stunning advances in our understanding of the Universe and our place within it. Canadian researchers in these fields also make important technological breakthroughs in areas such as advanced optics, composite radio reflectors and digital signal processing systems. The NRC maintains and operates large-scale astronomical facilities needed to continue this pursuit of excellence and represent Canada in world-leading astronomy projects. Through the NRC's financial and in-kind contributions, the Canadian astronomy community is provided with merit-based access to these facilities, opportunities for training and the expertise required to test and deploy new technologies.

The NRC will continue to deliver on this important mandate, providing expertise and operational support to Canadian and international observatories. This year will also see a number of upgrades made to observatories that will enhance capabilities, providing the cutting-edge facilities needed by researchers. These projects include maintaining a radio-quiet site at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, where major infrastructure upgrades will allow for accurate measurement and calibration of radio emissions with consistency. With accurate measurement capabilities, the NRC will develop local radio-frequency interference (RFI) policies and be in a position to test and validate sources of RFI. The NRC will continue development of the next-generation correlator for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array telescope. This vital component of a larger telescope upgrade will enhance bandwidth, improve digital sensitivity and provide high spectral fidelity and full compatibility with current observing modes.

Fulfilling global demand for measurement standards and solutions

As Canada's national metrology institute, the NRC performs measurement research and provides metrological services, which benefit Canada's society, economy and environment. There is an increasing demand for measurement standards and solutions in emerging areas where accurate specialized measurements provide critical evidence for the development of regulations and standards that promote the market adoption of innovative products and services. This includes measurement for quantum technologies, electrification of transportation, digitalization and automation of manufacturing processes, climate change factors and the characterization of critical minerals.

The NRC will continue to advance leading edge measurement science to define the International System of Units (SI) by conducting strategic research to advance unit realizations, dissemination methods and measurement solutions, aiming to push the boundaries for international metrology. The NRC will bring its world-class metrology expertise by participating in the Consultative Committee for Time and Frequency task force on the redefinition of the SI second, including evaluating the accuracy of the NRC's recently completed portable optical clock. Optical clocks can measure time more accurately than the current cesium-based atomic clocks, which define the SI second, and have achieved unprecedented levels of precision and stability. Redefining the second based on these advanced technologies can improve the performance of critical systems like GPS and telecommunications and help in testing the fundamental laws of physics, such as the theory of relativity, and in studying phenomena like gravitational waves.

The NRC will also contribute to global efforts for a new international temperature scale by improving how thermodynamic measurements are taken and by researching the fundamental properties that define the temperature scale. This effort aims to improve the accuracy and consistency of temperature measurements worldwide, with wide-ranging benefits including industrial efficiency, environmental monitoring and healthcare.

Supporting SME innovation and growth

NRC IRAP, the NRC's largest program, has been central to Canada's innovation system for more than 75 years, delivering growth-focused advice and support to more than 9,000 Canadian SMEs annually. In addition to delivering impactful and expert advisory services, NRC IRAP is able to build networks, create connections and deliver funding to help Canadian SMEs grow their innovation capacity and bring their ideas to market. Pending the establishment and launch of the Canada Innovation Corporation (CIC) by 2026–2027 and NRC IRAP's subsequent transition to the CIC, NRC IRAP will continue to support innovative SMEs and increase Canadian business investment in R&D across all regions and sectors of the economy. Other key initiatives for NRC IRAP this year:

• Transitioning employees and programming from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to NRC IRAP as announced by the Government of Canada in June 2024. The NRC will work to integrate SDTC program operations, systems and resources to maximize efficiency, effectiveness and impact. The transition will enable clean technology projects to be delivered under NRC IRAP's strong governance and oversight capacity, providing enhanced support to SMEs and strengthening public confidence in Canada's clean technology sector.
• Delivering the new NRC IRAP AI Assist program. To secure Canada's AI advantage, Budget 2024 announced $2.4 billion for targeted AI support, which includes an investment of $100 million over 5 years for the NRC IRAP AI Assist program. This program, designed and launched in 2024–25, will support Canadian SMEs and innovators to plan for, build and deploy new AI solutions. AI Assist will benefit Canadian industry by increasing the competitiveness and innovation capacity of its recipients through their accelerated development and deployment of AI.

Breakthroughs in quantum science can have groundbreaking impact on technology and the potential to transform the way people live and work. Long-standing investments in quantum technology and research have positioned Canada as a global leader in the field. Ongoing investment and innovation are needed to maintain this position, and in that context, the NRC's Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program will bring together industry, academia and government to drive commercial innovation and advancements for a wide range of applications, including human health, climate change, and advanced materials. To further support Canada's quantum research leadership, the NRC will capitalize on recent advancements in intermediate-scale quantum computers available through cloud platforms. This includes developing and applying new quantum algorithms, simulations, and software to fully harness the power of these new computing capabilities.

Broadening our domestic and global networks

Connecting with Canadian businesses and industries and supporting their efforts to innovate and grow is at the core of what the NRC does. In an effort to further enhance networks, develop partnerships and increase economic impacts, the NRC will develop an organization-wide Business Innovation Framework, focusing on key value chains of importance to Canada such as batteries, biomanufacturing and quantum technologies. Through this framework, by identifying gaps and opportunities in these value chains and mapping these to exiting capabilities, technologies, infrastructure and ongoing research and development, the NRC will be better positioned to leverage its capabilities to support the most promising Canadian companies. To further foster innovation and economic growth, licensing agreements sourced from the NRC's value-add intellectual property portfolio will provide competitive advantages to Canadian companies in close alignment and engagement with all critical value-chain stakeholders.

International collaboration bolsters research and development capabilities, accelerates discoveries and transforms these discoveries into market ready technologies and applications. To this end, the NRC will work to strengthen connections with key international partners for greater collaboration and to create new export opportunities. By leveraging complementary international capabilities and resources alongside our own investments, the NRC will focus on strategic areas of importance such as biomanufacturing, e-mobility, quantum technologies and decarbonization.

Through the Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness pillar of Horizon Europe, the NRC will advance consortia projects that bring together Canadian innovators from academia, industry and other organizations with European collaborators to pursue research and development related to major societal challenges. Horizon Europe is the world's largest research and innovation funding program and provides Canadian entities access to projects and partnerships that elevate their research and innovations through global partnerships.

International visibility of Canadian researchers and innovators will also be enhanced as a result of the NRC's leadership role with Eureka, the world's largest international network for industrial research and development collaboration. Through NRC IRAP, Canada will continue to co-chair the Eureka network with Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) until June 30, 2025, and will host a number of key events and meetings in early 2025 leading to the handover of the chair role to Switzerland in July 2025. Taking on the co-chair role provides the NRC with the opportunity to influence Eureka's strategic direction, further Canada's profile internationally as a strong partner for innovation, deepen the Canadian awareness of Eureka and accelerate Canadian participation in Eureka co-innovation projects.

Collaboration with domestic industrial and academic partners will also continue to be facilitated and strengthened. Through its collaborative research and development platform, the NRC will continue to work with universities, industry, other government departments and Indigenous communities, using instruments such as the Ideation Fund and Challenge programs, to tackle economic, social and environmental challenges facing Canada.

Accelerating Canada's transition to successful green economies

In addition to mitigating the effects of climate change, industrial decarbonization provides an opportunity for Canada to diversify its economy and build on existing strengths to lead in emerging industries. The NRC will leverage its many relevant capabilities to support industrial decarbonization and develop solutions that address barriers to adopting electric vehicles.

The NRC will launch a new e-Auto Challenge program that leverages its unique capabilities and network and convenes other Canadian innovators to increase capacity and support the development of an integrated Canadian zero-emission vehicle supply chain. Other activities to advance the adoption of electric vehicles will include exploring lower-emissions propulsion, efficient batteries and vehicle light weighting. A new pilot facility for partial discharge diagnostic of high voltage insulation for multi-modal electrified transportation will help advance electric vehicle safety.

Decarbonizing aviation is a critical component of Canada's goal of meeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and making the sector more sustainable. The H2CanFly consortium is set to transform the aviation industry by fast-tracking the commercialization of hydrogen propulsion aircraft to reduce aviation's climate impact and strengthen Canada's position as a global leader in the field. This partnership network, uniting key stakeholders from industry, academia and government, will build an inclusive and accessible national hydrogen flight research platform to achieve critical environmental and economic objectives for Canada.

Based on the same collaborative principle, the NRC has successfully set up a full-scale lab to assess the biodegradability of polymers. This initiative's consortium, which also connects organizations, universities and other government agencies, will advance the commercialization of fully recyclable or biodegradable packaging solutions. Procuring a customized film casting system will further improve the production of sustainable packaging and support Zero Plastic Waste initiatives.

Further, the first round of projects under the Critical Battery Materials Initiative will launch this year. These projects are focused on accelerating battery value chain innovations through automated, AI-enabled platforms and high-performance computing. Projects will aim to improve mid-stream processes and technologies to fill the gap between resource extraction and battery materials supply and explore battery materials recycling as another avenue for increasing the supply chain. The NRC will also work to develop new battery chemistries and recycling processes in anticipation of Canada's future energy storage needs.

To improve efficiencies and safety, the NRC will work with regulators to develop guidelines and standards related to transport electrification. This includes work with Transport Canada and others to advance standards for rapid charging stations, codes and standards for Canadian hydrogen fuel cell-powered rail and guidelines for transit authorities for the safe operation of battery electric buses.

The NRC will also advance research to improve the feasibility of electric aircraft, with work to advance the safety and suitability of battery technologies to enable aircraft electrification and hybridization, and evaluate novel, low-drag aircraft configurations in realistic testing environments to compare their performance with current aircraft. The NRC is also working to strengthen Canadian leadership in the emerging global Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. This includes testing and advancing technologies for autonomous operation of air vehicles, developing counter-drone technologies and contributing scientific data to Transport Canada to inform a sound regulatory framework for AAM in Canada.

Accelerating the availability of housing for Canadians

There is an increasingly urgent need to address the lack of housing and rebalance affordability for Canadians. Canada's Housing Plan, released in April 2024, aims to drastically increase the supply of all types of housing to meet growing demands and ensure affordability for all Canadians. Canada's National Model Codes are developed and updated through a consensus-based process with provincial and territorial partners, construction industry experts, stakeholders and members of the public. This process is crucial to the strength of Canada's codes and encourages streamlining of codes across provinces and territories.

The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes is the federal–provincial–territorial committee responsible for developing and updating Canada's National Model Codes, which form the basis of the codes that fall under provincial jurisdiction. The NRC will continue to support the Board by providing secretarial, technical and policy support for the 2030 National Model Code development cycle. This includes consulting provinces and territories, industry and safety experts to inform future codes that prioritize housing supply and the enhancement of construction types such as tiny homes, small multi-unit residential buildings, single-egress construction and use of offsite construction. As part of this initiative, NRC will also support efforts to address regulatory barriers to facilitate the nationwide expansion of factory-built construction, including supporting e-permit pilot projects and developing guidance for potential adoption by various jurisdictions.

Through its Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale and Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program, the NRC will undertake research to improve construction productivity through at-scale deployment of advanced construction practices, including offsite manufacturing, which will contribute to more efficient construction for new builds and retrofits. Projects will focus on implementing digitized codes, expanding the availability of electronic permitting solutions and showcasing the value of digital twinning for design and facilities management.

De-risking and accelerating R&D towards commercialization for healthy Canadians

As highlighted in Canada's Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy, a strong, competitive domestic life sciences sector benefits Canadians by ensuring national security through reliable access to locally manufactured products. The NRC will continue to play a key role by advancing cutting-edge biomanufacturing capabilities that increase access to needed vaccines and therapeutics and developing and de-risking innovative solutions and new technologies that are affordable, fit for purpose and manufactured domestically in a timely manner.

The NRC's Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, including the new clinical trial material facility at the Royalmount campus, advances R&D-developed disruptive platform technologies for biologicals and cell and gene therapies, from discovery through to translation in clinical trials, focusing on making these technologies more accessible and affordable. Co-located on the NRC Royalmount campus is Canada's new Biologics Manufacturing Centre (BMC) Inc., a non-profit supported through government funding. NRC will partner with the BMC to provide a one-stop shop experience to clients for the entire biomanufacturing value chain, from R&D to commercial-scale manufacturing, helping businesses grow. These efforts will support Canada's readiness for health emergencies, offering capacity for pivoting manufacturing rapidly, and our ability to develop affordable therapies for rare diseases that affect Canadians.

Improved access to affordable health care, faster diagnosis and treatment and patient empowerment are only a few benefits of developing and adopting innovative point of care diagnostics. The NRC will continue to advance these technologies by leveraging internal expertise and through collaboration. For example, this year, as part of the Canada Biomedical Research Fund program and in collaboration with First Nations communities, the NRC will pursue research on antibiotics formulation using AI metabolomics and chip-based testing. The goal is to empower rapid diagnostics of pathogens for food safety and genomic sequencing and track pathogen species migrating to the North. Further, as part of the Collaborative Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT), the NRC will work on rapid classification of sepsis patients for appropriate treatment using microfluidics and molecular technologies.

Distributed care is also critical to effective and accessible health care, particularly in the context of Canada's aging population. To this end, the NRC will increase efforts toward the clinical adoption of digital health and virtual care technologies. This includes technologies that enable remote physiological monitoring of patients to assess their health status non-invasively. To facilitate the adoption of these technologies, the NRC will develop the foundation for an Industrial R&D group showcasing the NRC's bWell digital platform for technology transfer and strategic pre-competitive projects. This industrial group will strengthen existing strategic alliances and allow the sharing of project costs, benefits and risks while providing privileged access to research experts, infrastructure and technologies.

Helping Canada adapt to climate change

The impacts of climate change and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and their effects on the daily lives of Canadians are intensifying. Understanding how to adapt and protect homes and infrastructure is key to developing and adopting innovations needed to create resilience in the built environment.

• Through its Climate Resilient Built Environment initiative, the NRC will develop innovative tools and technologies to integrate resilience into building and infrastructure design and standards. This includes developing new standards related to wildland urban interface design in collaboration with the Standards Council of Canada and publishing guidance and standards on climate resilient infrastructure such as dams, nature-based solutions, bridges, roads, water and wastewater systems, urban transit and buildings.
• The NRC will also advance research and development in climate resilient building materials, low-carbon construction materials and systems by launching and delivering collaborative projects under its Low Carbon Built Environment Challenge program.
• Nature-based solutions provide the opportunity to learn from natural processes and nature-based defences that may be more sustainable and adaptable to changing environments. To build Canadian capacity for the potential of nature-based solutions, the NRC will publish the first Canadian guideline for riverine nature-based solutions in Canada. In partnership with industry and government partners, the NRC will also conduct a physical modelling study, contributing to restoring the Hillman Marsh, a critically endangered ecosystem on Lake Erie.
• Climate change poses significant risks to agriculture through extreme weather events, changing precipitation patterns and temperature fluctuations. Enhancing resilience helps mitigate these impacts, supporting stable food production despite adverse conditions. The NRC will continue to advance a platform of integrated technologies to help the indoor agriculture industry accelerate crop design and develop novel engineering technologies in support of regional food production. Digital tools, including simulated environment modelling and data integration, are also being integrated to accelerate the development of technologies that make crops more resilient and sustainable.
• The effective use of marine bioresources offers environmental and economic benefits across food, health and personal care sectors. The NRC's Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre will support clients with services related to precision fermentation, cellular agriculture and seaweed valorization, while prioritizing the sustainable transformation of biobased resources into economic value as well as ocean health and sustainable aquaculture.

Advancing reconciliation through research, relationships and innovation

Advancing reconciliation and renewing relationships with Indigenous peoples continues to be a key priority for the NRC. The NRC's commitment to advancing reconciliation strengthens our research outcomes and ensures that our research and infrastructure, located across Indigenous territories in Canada, are managed with respect, reciprocity and relationships as fundamental principles. The NRC is committed to furthering its path to reconciliation by continuing to build intentional relationships with Indigenous researchers, innovators, communities, organizations and governments and to braiding knowledge systems to enhance existing research practices and develop new strategies.

Through the Indigenous strategy and engagement team, the NRC will drive system-wide changes that advance Indigenous-inclusive research and innovation. This includes equipping staff with the advice, training and tools they need to build and maintain relationships with Indigenous peoples. It also includes applying an Indigenous lens to design of processes. For example, the team will continue to provide support to the NRC's research ethics board by working to ensure that Indigenous-specific considerations are woven into research ethics review processes.

Through the Canadian Indigenous languages technology project, the NRC will continue working with Indigenous communities and language experts to revitalize Indigenous languages by developing technologies that support language reclamation, revitalization and stabilization. This year, the focus will be on human evaluation and rollout of the text-to-speech toolkit and voices for 3 Indigenous languages (Kanyen'kéha, Plains Cree and SENĆOŦEN). Automatic speech recognition for several Indigenous languages is now at a point where it can be practically useful to transcribers. In addition, by leveraging AI safety expertise, the program will concentrate on detecting and watermarking AI-generated content in Indigenous languages to combat fraudulent learning materials.

The NRC's Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) near Penticton, BC, will continue its collaboration with the syilx people and their governing body, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), to develop and implement a wildfire emergency response plan. This plan involves reducing forest fuels and thinning denser stands of trees to lower the risk and intensity of potential fires, and is carried out by the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) Natural Resources Department. Building on the success of this initial project, treated areas are being monitored and treatment will extend to additional nearby regions. This new phase will be entirely led by the PIB Natural Resources Department and snpinktn, a local syilx company. Once this phase is completed, the NRC will collaborate with the ONA to initiate cultural burning practices to help restore the land to a more natural state.

The NRC's Arctic and Northern Challenge program will continue to work closely with Northern organizations and other partners, including by way of its current cohort of projects. Following the May 2025 close of its second call for proposals, the program will select and fund a new round of programs addressing pressing issues affecting the quality of life of Northern peoples under the research themes of housing, health, food and water. The program will continue to seek advice through its Northern-based Program Advisory Committee; advance its new processes for regionally based proposal reviews, reviewer and northern expert compensation; and support NRC research staff with Indigenous cultural competency training. Combined, these initiatives will support advancing Indigenous research priorities in new and innovative ways.