Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science (BOREALIS)
Fast-tracking innovation for Canada's defence and security.
What BOREALIS does
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:
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)
- National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP)
Contact us
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca