General Questions

Collaboration & Partnerships

Careers and Employment

General Questions

How long has Defence R&D; Canada been an agency?

Defence R&D; Canada became an agency within the Department of National Defence in April 2000.

Why did Defence R&D; Canada become an agency?

Agency status provided opportunities for change that helped DRDC to respond to the needs of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces in a rapidly evolving environment. Increased flexibility has allowed the introduction of new business processes and innovative approaches to management of defence science and technology. In addition, agency status has allowed DRDC to increase its contribution to the development of Canada's economy through the transfer of technology and knowledge to Canadian industry.

Defence R&D; Canada has both a Chief Executive Officer and an Assistant Deputy Minister. Is this the same person? Why has this distinction been made?

The Chief Executive Officer of Defence R&D; Canada is also the Assistant Deputy Minister (Science and Technology) within the Department of National Defence. The CEO's title as ADM(S&T;) reflects the formal reporting relationship that exists between the Department of National Defence and Defence R&D; Canada.

Who is Defence R&D; Canada's major client?

Defence R&D; Canada's primary client is the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. Defence R&D; Canada ensures that the Canadian Forces remain technologically prepared by providing them with R&D; products and services.

How does Defence R&D; Canada conduct its R&D;?

The R&D; Program is conducted by Defence R&D; Canada's six research centres along with any national and international collaborators. Six interconnected research mechanisms are used: Service Level Agreements, the Technology Demonstration Program, the Technology Investment Fund, the Defence Industrial Research Program, the DND/NSERC Research Partnership Program and the Defence Communications Program.

How does Defence R&D; Canada ensure that it is serving the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces?

Each year, Defence R&D; Canada develops agreements with the Canadian Forces for the delivery of R&D.; These agreements are developed in consultation with stakeholders from the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. Stakeholders from the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces also sit on advisory boards and overview groups set in place to ensure that the R&D; Program reflects their needs. Finally, Defence R&D; Canada has developed a Technology Investment Strategy that reflects S&T; capacity needed by the Canadian Forces for future defence and national security.

I would like to contact the Assistant Deputy Minister (Science and Technology)'s office. How can I do this?

Please send an e-mail to info@drdc-rddc.gc.ca and it will be forwarded to the ADM (S&T;)'s office.

I am a member of the press and want more information about Defence R&D; Canada, who is my point of contact?

Your first point of contact is DRDC's External Communications Department. They can be contacted at media@drdc-rddc.gc.ca or at (613) 992-7237.

Are Defence R&D; Canada research reports and papers available to the public?

Research reports and papers that are not classified or of limited distribution are available to the public through Defence R&D; Canada's Defence Research Reports Database.

Collaboration & Partnerships

How does Defence R&D; Canada collaborate with other government departments, industry , and academia in Canada?

Defence R&D; Canada develops memoranda of understanding with other federal government departments for the conduct of R&D; of mutual interest to both parties and there are three major programs open to Canadian industry and academia: the Defence Industrial Research (DIR) Program, the Technology Demonstration Program, and the DND/NSERC Research Partnership Program.Defence R&D; Canada also issues R&D; contracts for tender. These are advertised on the Merx Web Site.

How does Defence R&D; Canada collaborate internationally?

The two most important ways that Defence R&D; Canada collaborates internationally are through research projects and programs conducted by The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand and projects and programs conducted through NATO's Research and Technology Organization.

Why does Defence R&D; Canada place so much importance on collaboration?

The future viability of Defence R&D; Canada depends on establishing and maintaining strong national and international networks. National collaborations enhance the sharing and exchange of knowledge and technology, improve our access to a broader technology base, and increase the return on investment. Engaging international partners in cost-shared collaborative projects is also critical to the success of our R&D; Program in providing the Canadian Forces with global access to advanced defence technology, information, and expertise and to facilitate interoperability with our allies.

Defence R&D; Canada's main objective is to provide technologies to the Canadian Forces. Are any of these technologies transferable for use by the public sector?

Yes, quite often the technologies developed by Defence R&D; Canada have a dual-use, meaning that they are valuable not only for Canadian Forces application but also for public application. One example of a dual-use technology is the Auto Context Image Database Exploitation System (ACIDES) that Defence R&D; Canada transferred to a private medical research company DIAGNOS Inc., for research into computer-based cancer detection.

I want to licence a Defence R&D; Canada technology. Who do I contact for more information?

Defence R&D; Canada transfers some of its technologies to the private sector through licensing. If you are interested in learning what is available please contact Defence R&D; Canada's Business Development Office at corp.bdo-bda@drdc-rddc.gc.ca.

Are Defence R&D; Canada facilities available for use by the general public and private industry?

Defence R&D; Canada facilities are available for use on a case-by-case basis, consistent with its existing R&D; requirements and federal government policies. The facilities are available on a cost-recovery basis which means that the requesting external client must pay for their use. Consult the Facilities section for more information.

Are Defence R&D; Canada personnel available to the private sector to be used as sub-contractors and / or expert consultants by the private sector?

Yes, on a case-by-case basis with the caveat that the Defence R&D; Canada resources have to be made available to any and all Canadian contractors under equal opportunity and equivalent terms and conditions of payment. Please contact Defence R&D; Canada's Business Development Office at corp.bdo-bda@drdc-rddc.gc.ca for more information.

Careers and Employment

What types of careers does DRDC offer?

Defence R&D; Canada careers range from defence science and technology to management, foreign service and administrative support. Please consult the Career Streams section for more information.

I am a student and I am interested in summer employment at Defence R&D; Canada. Are there any programs available?

Students are hired each summer under Defence R&D; Canada's Defence Research Assistant Program. More information can be found in the Defence Research Assistant Program section.

Defence R&D; Canada is an agency. Are DRDC employees still members of the public service?

Yes, Defence R&D; Canada employees are still federal government employees and are members of public service unions.