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R & D: National Research Council

Public Research Infrastructure: Agriculture Life Sciences ICT Industrial NRC NSERC

The National Research Council is composed of over 20 institutes and national programs located across Canada, encompassing a wide variety of disciplines and offering a broad array of services. Areas of research and industry support include: Aerospace, Agriculture, Automotive and Surface Transportation, Biology and Biotechnology, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Construction, Energy, Environment, Health and Wellness, Information and Communication Technologies, Manufacturing, Materials, Nanotechnology and others.

NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics (NRC-IBD)

Winnipeg’s NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics conducts research and develops instrument-based, non-invasive medical diagnostic technologies. The Institute performs its research in partnership with medical schools, universities, other research organizations and industry. Its activities and expertise stimulate economic development through R&D and commercialization of its advanced medical devices.

NRC-IBD’s research projects fall into the following six programs:

• Cancer research
• Cardiovascular disease research
• IT-based decision technology
• Medical photonics
• MR research and technology development
• Neuroscience research

NRC Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (NRC-CISTI)

As the country's largest scientific and technical information service, the Institute provides instant online access to North America's most extensive collection of scientific and technical literature. Its services include customized literature searches, the development of highly specialized data banks and expertise in finding answers to complex questions.

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)

NRC-IRAP brings together a diverse network of organizations, services and programs to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) develop and exploit new technologies. The program provides expert technical and business advice, financial assistance, access to business information, contacts, and national and international networks. Firms that take advantage of the program become equipped to perform basic R&D, to commercialize new products and processes, and to access new markets.  Canadian SME's and industrial associations looking to enhance their technological capability are eligible for support.

The IRAP portfolio of services includes:

• Technical and Business Advisory Services -- Industrial Technology Advisors coach clients’ projects through all stages of the innovation-commercialization process.

• Financial Assistance for R&D -- NRC-IRAP offers 2 kinds of financial assistance:

  • Research and Technology Development Activities -- financial support to qualified small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada to help them develop technologies for competitive advantage. NRC-IRAP operates on a shared-risk model, providing cost-shared financial assistance for R&D projects that meet both the firm and project assessment criteria.
  • Youth Employment Strategy Programs -- provide firms with support to hire post-secondary science, engineering, technology, business and liberal arts graduates.

• Networking and Linkage Services -- Through extensive networks, Industrial Technology Advisors are able to connect clients with industry experts and potential business partners.

Contact Information

National Research Council
Industrial Research Assistance Program
435 Ellice Avenue
Winnipeg, MB, R3B 1Y6
Tel: 204-983-0092
Fax: 204-983-8835