Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science (BOREALIS)

Fast-tracking innovation for Canada's defence and security.

BOREALIS is modernizing Canadian defence and national security innovation by:

• accelerating the delivery of advanced technologies
• aligning federal innovation efforts toward mission needs
• connecting partners from government, academia, and industry

BOREALIS prioritizes emerging and dual-use technologies that are vital to Canada's national interests.

Why BOREALIS

Canada's innovation ecosystem includes more than 130 federal programs. While this breadth drives research excellence, it can also be complex to navigate, making it harder for innovators to find the right pathway and for defence and security organizations to access emerging capabilities.

BOREALIS aims to better connect Canada's innovation programs and partners so that promising technologies can move from concept to capability — securely and at speed.

Mission-driven innovation

Around the world, countries are rapidly advancing emerging technologies for military and security advantage. Canada must be able to keep pace.

BOREALIS is part of how Canada responds.

It will help the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) access cutting-edge technologies more quickly — when and where they are needed.

Core elements of BOREALIS

Joint Program Office

The Joint Program Office (JPO) will lead early delivery and coordination. It is housed at the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and includes personnel from:

• Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
• Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
• National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

Program consolidation and streamlining

Federal innovation programs will be better aligned to support defence and security priorities, including:

• faster results
• more coherent investments
• easier access for innovators working in emerging and dual-use technologies

Secure and connected workspaces

Defence Innovation Secure Hubs (DISH) will provide secure workspaces where trusted partners can work together to develop, test, and validate new technologies.

Team Canada model

BOREALIS will bring together experts from across government, Canadian industry and academia. These partnerships ensure that innovation reaches end users quickly, safely and securely.

Learn about Canada's innovation programs

• Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS)
• Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)
• Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

Contact us

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca