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 the 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.
On this page
- Present a science or technology solution
- Learn about research and innovation programs
- Learn about information and work exchanges
- Explore intellectual property
- Learn about defence research grants with partner organizations
- Opportunities through partner organizations
- Learn about research security
- Contact us for more information
- Our partners
Present a science or technology solution
Research spotlight
Canada needs a resilient, flexible, scalable and secure space-based information ecosystem for its defence and security. DRDC is developing novel and resilient networked space systems in low earth orbit (LEO). Read more about space LEO architecture.
To present a science and technology solution to DRDC, please email DRDCPartnerships-PartenariatsRDDC@forces.gc.ca. 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
DRDC research is aligned with the Department of National Defence’s Defence and Security Science and Technology (DSST) program priorities. The DSST 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).
As Canada is a NATO member, Canadian innovators are eligible to participate in all processes initiated by the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) (you are now leaving Canada.ca).
DRDC has the expertise and specialized facilities to be a destination of choice for collaborative research.
To learn more about collaborating with DRDC, please email DRDCPartnerships-PartenariatsRDDC@forces.gc.ca.
Learn about information and work exchanges
DRDC regularly hosts or participates in outreach activities, conferences, presentations and trade shows.
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 email DRDCPartnerships-PartenariatsRDDC@forces.gc.ca.
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. Apply here. - 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). Learn more about the Discovery Grant supplement. - Department of National Defence Research Initiative
DRDC and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) support research and related activities on these priority topics:- Personnel recruitment and selection
- Readiness training and development
- Social processes in the workplace
- Operational effectiveness
Learn more about the Department of National Defence Research Initiative.
Opportunities through partner organizations
Research Trainee Matching Program application (RTMP)
What is the Research Trainee Matching Program?: the program fosters interest in research careers with DND by sharing potential hiring and research opportunities with selected individuals in Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)’s network.
Who is eligible to apply?: Individuals that have applied in the last twelve (12) months to NSERC’s Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF) program or that are in the final year of funding for your NSERC doctoral scholarship (PGS or CGS) or who have completed an NSERC doctoral scholarship within the past twelve (12) months.
Learn more about project opportunities.
How to apply:
- Apply by email at DRDC.RDDC-NSERC.CRSNG.programs@forces.gc.ca
- In your email attach your resume and indicate your project(s) of interest
- Title your email following this format:
NSERC RTMP application – Name of the Research Centre you are applying for – your first initial and last name- E.g.: NSERC RTMP application – DRDC Atlantic Research Centre – J. Doe
DND will contact selected applicants to discuss potential opportunities.
Directorate of Scientific and Technical Intelligence
DRDC Centre for Operational Research and Analysis (CORA)
DRDC Valcartier Research Centre
Joint Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP)
What is the Joint Postdoctoral Fellowship Program?: This program allows NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) award holders to apply to hold a Fellowship in a DND research facility for at least one year shortly after the completion of their NSERC PDF award.
Who is eligible to apply?: NSERC PDF award holders who are interested in the opportunity will submit to DND an application package consisting of up-to a two-page statement of interest.
How to apply:
- Email a statement authorizing NSERC to share information about your NSERC PDF application with DND to nsercscholarships-boursescrsng@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
- Email your application package consisting of up-to a two-page statement of interest and your resume to DRDC.RDDC-NSERC.CRSNG.programs@forces.gc.ca
- Title your email following this format:
NSERC JPFP application – Research Centre you are applying for – your first initial and last name- E.g.: NSERC JPFP application – DRDC Atlantic Research Centre – J. Doe
DND will contact selected applicants to discuss potential opportunities.
Directorate of Scientific and Technical Intelligence
Learn about research security
The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has published a catalogue of emerging technologies trend cards in support of the Government of Canada’s Open Science and research security initiatives. These trend cards can help researchers make science and research more transparent, inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative, while minimizing risks to security, especially with emerging technologies that have dual civilian and military uses.
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 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) (you are now leaving Canada.ca).
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.
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