Partnering with Defence Research and Development Canada

Defence R&D Canada Partnerships

Defence R&D Canada offers partners and stakeholders the most cost-effective scientific and technological solutions to the challenges they face. To do this, Defence R&D Canada collaborates with international and national organizations and partners with the Canadian Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and attracts top-notch national and international science and technology (S&T) partners to leverage resources, knowledge, experience, and technology.

Canadian Collaborations and Partnerships

A leading member of Canada's S&T and national security community, Defence R&D Canada is a member of over 60 national science and technology councils, networks and forums, as well as initiating and supporting collaborative research ventures.

Finding the best method of tracking Right Whales in the Bay of Fundy near Grand Manan Island

• Approximately 50 per cent of its annual budget is invested in collaborative programs with Canada's private sector and academic community.
• Defence R&D Canada leverages its S&T base to serve partners outside of the Department of National Defence, generating in excess of $3.5 million in new revenues annually.
• Defence R&D Canada's research efforts often result in technology transfers to the private sector.
• Defence R&D Canada is one of Canada's largest producers of patents within the federal government.

Defence R&D Canada collaborates with other national organizations - including federal government departments, defence industries, and universities - to enhance support to the Canadian Forces.

Partnering for a Safer Canada

Participants at NATO's Exercise PRECISE RESPONSE secure the scene after a mock car crash, as part of a chemical, biological and radiological training scenario

Public security continues to be of paramount importance both nationally and internationally. Defence R&D Canada has made many advances in this area, not only in its research, development, testing and evaluation activities, but also in building relationships with other organizations and in offering unique training opportunities to personnel involved in emergency response. By collaborating with other organizations, both in Canada and abroad, Defence R&D Canada makes important contributions to national public safety and security.

CBRNE Research & Technology Initiative (CRTI)

The CBRNE Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI) has a mandate to fund projects in science and technology that will strengthen Canada's preparedness for, prevention of, and response to potential chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRNE) terrorist attacks. The addition of an Explosives (E) portfolio allow police, industry, and researchers to develop new and novel means to detect explosives, as well as ways to improve safety for bomb technicians conducting render-safe procedures. Through this collaborative, coordinated initiative, the federal science and technology community and its partners are working to enhance Canada's ability to respond to CBRNE threats to public security. CRTI is managed by DRDC CSS, the centre that provides support to Public Safety Canada and contributes to and supports the capability needs of the Canadian Forces in the area of public security. More information on CRTI can be found on its Web site.

Counter Terrorism Technology Centre (CTTC)

Defence R&D Canada's Counter Terrorism Technology Centre (CTTC) is Canada's centre of excellence for CBRN training, test and evaluation. The CTTC delivers live-agent training, testing and scientific advice to partners to enable them to conduct operations safely in a high-risk CBRN environment. The new centre provides a unique collective training capability for the Canadian Foreces, civilian first responders, and foreign allies. While training is its largest activity, the CTTC is also responsible for test and evaluation, demilitarization, and forensic support. More information about CTTC can be found on its Web site.

Public Security Technical Program (PSTP)

An explosion in a train car at the POST-BLAST Exercise gives forensic specialists new expertise in evidence gathering

In June 2003, Defence R&D Canada initiated the Public Security Technical Program (PSTP), which aims to develop a coordinated program to enhance collaboration across government and to deliver S&T solutions across many dimensions of public security. The PSTP embraces a two-pronged approach, with a Canadian program that includes many federal government departments and agencies, and a Canada/United States program, which engages the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. More information on PSTP can be found on its Web site.

Partnering with Allied Nations

Defence R&D Canada engages international partners in cost-shared collaborative projects within its S&T program. Defence R&D Canada collaborates with allied defence organizations in a diverse mixture of multi-lateral and bilateral arrangements to provide the Canadian Forces with global access to advanced defence technology, information and expertise, and to facilitate interoperability with Canada's allies.

Participants in Virtual Battle Experiment ECHO run simulated swarm attacks

The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP)

The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) is an international research forum with members from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The TTCP involves over 850 scientists, with Defence R&D Canada contributing to over 70 technological initiatives.

NATO Research and Technology Organization (RTO)

NATO Research and Technology Organization (RTO) is NATO's primary defence science and technology organization which facilitates collaborative research and information exchange with other NATO members. Defence R&D Canada actively participates in NATO RTO panels which span a wide range of research and technology activities.

International Partnering

Regarded as a partner of choice by the international defence science and technology community, Defence R&D Canada is involved in over 300 international defence science and technology working groups and collaborative research forums. Defence R&D Canada's participation in such forums not only allows the Agency to exchange new knowledge and expertise, but also heightens Canada's profile on the world stage as a leader in technical innovation and scientific excellence.

Defence R&D Canada also participates in international agreements. These agreements promote interoperability, facilitate collaboration, and help Defence R&D Canada obtain the most efficient and cost-effective results through cooperation in joint research activities.