Partnerships and opportunities

Partnerships are at the core of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)’s success in delivering science and technology solutions to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the Department of National Defence (DND) and public safety and security communities.

DRDC is seeking collaborative activities that support its strategic focus areas and is developing new methods of engagement to create mutually beneficial relationships and enhance existing partnerships.

Access S&T contracts
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) manages research and development contracts for DRDC, posting tenders on Buy and Sell.
Present a science or technology solution
DRDC research is aligned with the Department of National Defence’s Defence and Security Science and Technology (DSST) program. Potential partners can learn more about the eight strategic focus areas under the program at the DSST webpage. To execute the DSST program, DRDC has 47 research and development capabilities located across Canada. Read more about DRDC capabilities.

To find the right contact to present a science and technology solution to DRDC, please visit the Contact us page. Please note that DRDC is not actively seeking open submissions. DRDC receives a high volume of requests to present S&T solutions and prioritizes responses accordingly.
Learn about research and innovation programs
The Defence and Security Science and Technology program helps ensure Canada is ready for present and future defence and security threats and challenges by leading science and technology innovation in eight strategic focus areas. Learn more about the Defence and Security Science and Technology (DSST) program.

Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) is more than just a funding program. It accelerates concepts, propels solutions forward and builds the Canadian defence innovation ecosystem. Learn more about the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program.

The Canadian Safety and Security Program is a federally funded program fostering innovative science and technology advancements at federal, provincial and municipal levels of government that contribute to the safety and security of Canadians. Learn more about the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP).

Innovative Solutions Canada funds research and development and tests prototypes in real-life settings. This program is managed through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Learn more about Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC).
Exchange information
DRDC regularly hosts or participates in outreach activities, conferences, presentations and trade shows. DRDC participation in upcoming events is listed on the DRDC News page.

In addition, we encourage technical exchanges between our scientific and technical staff and industry through information exchanges. Learn more about work we have done previously by accessing defence research reports online.

To find the right contact to exchange information or collaborate in kind, please visit the Contact us page.
Participate in a work exchange
Industry and DRDC benefit from employee exchanges through a program administered by Interchange Canada. These temporary assignments support the transfer of information and expertise, the professional development of participants and help to enhance networking and communications between organizations. Details on this program are available on the Treasury Board Secretariat website.
Explore intellectual property
DRDC seeks to leverage the development of its technologies, whether developed in-house or via procurement processes, and enables technology transfer through licensing and other mechanisms. The goal of such technology transfer activity is to enhance Canada’s security and defence industry, enabling economic development and ensuring Canadian industrial capabilities to meet supply chain requirements of the Canadian Armed Forces.

DRDC technology transfer occurs in various forms including the publication of scientific reports and other publications. Many defence research reports are accessible online.

DRDC actively licenses technologies to the private sector for commercialization. Other forms of transfer and technology sharing occur under international agreements, technology sharing and material transfer agreements, collaborative research agreements, and fee-for-service research.

Businesses can explore possible licensing and collaboration opportunities listed under National Defence on ExploreIP: Canada’s IP Marketplace. This online resource is managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

To learn more about licensing Crown IP, contact IP.DRDC-RDDC.PI@forces.gc.ca.
Learn about defence research grants with partner organizations
DRDC engages the broader academic community in defence and security research through cooperation with partner organizations.
- Alliance Grant
  The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) / Department of National Defence (DND) Alliance Grant supports unclassified university-based research dedicated to the development of non-weapon specific technologies with potential use in selected areas of interest to DND. More information on how to apply can be consulted at the NSERC Alliance grants website.
- Discovery Grant supplement
  The Department of National Defence (DND) provides a supplement to selected academic awardees of Discovery Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This supplement of $40,000 for three years can be awarded to up to 20 proposals per year for work in areas of interest to DND. More information on this initiative and a listing of the eligible topics for this year’s DND-Supplement can be obtained from the NSERC website.
- Insight Grant
  DRDC and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) have signed a joint initiative agreement to support social sciences and humanities research and related activities pertaining to military personnel readiness, organizational and operational effectiveness, and human effectiveness in modern operations.
  The priority topics of interest under this program include:
  - Personnel recruitment and selection
  - Readiness training and development
  - Social processes in the workplace
  - Operational effectiveness
Additional information is available on the SSHRC website.
Collaborate on a research proposal
With its wealth of expertise and specialized facilities, as well as its profound understanding of defence and public safety and security challenges, and the proximity of its science and technology program developers to the Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence and public safety and security clients, DRDC is a destination of choice for collaborative partnering arrangements.

To learn more about opportunities for collaboration please visit the Contact us page.
Request use of DRDC facilities
DRDC facilities are available for use on a case-by-case basis, consistent with its existing science and technology requirements and federal government policies.

DRDC facilities are available on a cost-recovery basis, meaning the requesting external client must pay for the use of the facilities and the provision of DRDC services.

To learn more about DRDC facilities that are available for use, please visit the Contact us page.
Contact us for more information
To help direct your inquiry, please visit the Contact us page.

Our Partners

DRDC actively pursues opportunities for defence, safety and security collaboration with partners from other government departments and agencies, industry, academia and international allies.

Industry
Industry forms a key component of the Canadian innovation system, is a major source of innovative ideas and an important partner for DRDC. Industrial suppliers translate concepts into reality and provide equipment and systems solutions that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Department of National Defence (DND) depend upon. This includes small, medium and large enterprises, not-for-profit organizations as well as industry associations.
Academia
Academic institutions are important partners for DRDC. This includes universities, colleges, academic/education-based associations and groups associated with universities and colleges. Partnership opportunities include:
- Contributions in-kind toward a common objective (collaborative agreements)
- Cost-shared initiatives in pursuing a common science and technology objective
- Leveraging a strategic partnership between DRDC and the Royal Military College of Canada on topic-specific issues on a case-by-case basis
Other Canadian government departments and agencies
DRDC works with other Canadian government departments and agencies, as well as provincial, territorial and municipal governments within Canada, funding agencies and other public sector organizations to jointly address challenges of common interest.

DRDC also collaborates on specific scientific projects with other government departments and agencies, leveraging facilities, resources and networks. Several memoranda of understanding frame joint activities that range from a single joint project to long-term partnerships.
Allies
DRDC’s international relationships are anchored in two multilateral arrangements, the Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the NATO Science and Technology Organization (NATO STO).

DRDC also collaborates with allied countries under several bilateral and multi-lateral arrangements, as well as memoranda of understanding. Canada has privileged relationships with Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Through these agreements, DRDC gains an understanding of allies’ science and technology programs and cooperates in a broad range of defence activities to:
- augment defence and public security knowledge and resources
- avoid unnecessary duplication
- obtain the most efficient and cost-effective science and technology results
- facilitate information exchange, collaborative projects and exchange of personnel and equipment
- facilitate interoperability between allies
- jointly identify and close important gaps in the technology and knowledge bases