S&T; Policy and Advice

Defence R&D; Canada provides strategic and operational advice on science and technology related products and services to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. This includes S&T; related policy advice, strategic studies, support for scientific and technical intelligence, technology watch, outreach activities, and input to the Technology Investment Strategy.

Services to Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces

Advice and Expertise

Policy makers and force development and intelligence communities within the Department of National Defence receive advice and expertise on S&T; products and services required to effectively carry assigned mission and tasks.

Monitoring of Global Technology Developments

Tracking emerging technologies and assessment of their relevance to Canadian defence.

Formulation and Delivery

Defence R&D; Canada's Directorate Science and Technology Policy (DST Pol) is the driver of S&T; policy, advice, and monitoring services provided to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. DST Pol manages the two main vehicles for the formulation and delivery of S&T; advice and expertise: the Technology Assessment Working Group (TAWG) and the Technology Outlook Program.

Technology Assessment Working Group (TAWG)

The TAWG is responsible for recommending and monitoring a technology investment strategy for Defence R&D; Canada. Specifically, TAWG:

Identifies future defence technology needs,

Monitors technology investment and recommends changes in the R&D; Program to respond to future defence needs,

Reports annually to the R&D; Executive Committee (RDEC) on the state and balance of technology investment in DRDC

Provides advice and input to technology watch, foresight and assessment activities, and

Performs the selection and assessment of Technology Investment Fund projects for recommendation to RDEC.

Technology Outlook Program

The objective of this program is to look for emerging technologies, assess their potential relevance to Canadian Forces and provide advice on the potential impact of S&T; developments on national and departmental policies and strategies. It consists of six main mandates:

Hold symposia / workshops on emerging issues,

Conduct expert assessments of emerging technologies,

Provide departmental and national S&T; policy advice,

Capture, synthesize and disseminate emerging S&T; information,

Research and implement knowledge management practices and,

Monitor and assess international technology developments and develop strategies for international collaboration.