NRC — Aerospace Research Centre

Developing and certifying aerospace technologies is expensive, complex, and often out of reach without access to specialized expertise and facilities. For Canadian companies working in aerospace and defence, the NRC — Aerospace Research Centre offers a way to accelerate innovation by collaborating directly with one of the country’s leading aeronautical research organizations. Rather than traditional cash grants, this national program focuses on non-repayable support through technical services, applied research, and access to world-class infrastructure.

Through the National Research Council of Canada, businesses can work alongside hundreds of aerospace researchers with deep expertise in areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion, flight research, manufacturing, materials performance, and safety. Companies can tap into advanced research aircraft, specialized labs, digital twin and virtual testing capabilities, and advisory services that support everything from early-stage R&D to testing, certification, and scale-up. The Centre is particularly active in emerging areas like advanced aerial mobility, unmanned aircraft systems, sustainable aviation, and automation in aerospace manufacturing.

Support varies depending on the scope of the project and may include collaborative R&D, access to facilities, technical validation, or licensing opportunities. Startups, growing SMEs, and large enterprises across Canada that meet certain requirements can benefit from this hands-on approach to innovation. For aerospace companies looking to reduce technical risk and move products closer to market, learning more about how this program works could be a valuable next step.