National Research Council Canada
Results and programs. GC InfoBase reports 47 programs of this department, in its Departmental Plans or its actual spending; 33 are current (in the latest plan or, for a program in no plan, with actual spending in the latest year).
- Actual spending, 2024-25
- $1.8B
- Planned, 2025-26 (latest plan)
- $1.83B
- Core responsibilities with indicators
- 1
Spending and employees
Totals of the department's programs: actual spending where reported, then the latest plan.
Spending
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | — | $903M |
| 2011-12 | — | $699M |
| 2012-13 | — | $805M |
| 2013-14 | — | $894M |
| 2014-15 | — | $956M |
| 2015-16 | — | $945M |
| 2016-17 | — | $1.05B |
| 2017-18 | — | $1.02B |
| 2018-19 | — | $1.15B |
| 2019-20 | — | $1.21B |
| 2020-21 | — | $1.65B |
| 2021-22 | — | $1.44B |
| 2022-23 | — | $1.47B |
| 2023-24 | — | $1.53B |
| 2024-25 | — | $1.8B |
| 2025-26 | $1.83B* | — |
| 2026-27 | $1.93B* | — |
| 2027-28 | $1.93B* | — |
| 2028-29 | $1.51B* | — |
Employees (FTEs)
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | — | 4,093 |
| 2012-13 | — | 3,739 |
| 2013-14 | — | 3,526 |
| 2014-15 | — | 3,577 |
| 2015-16 | — | 3,669 |
| 2016-17 | — | 3,871 |
| 2017-18 | — | 3,979 |
| 2018-19 | — | 3,950 |
| 2019-20 | — | 4,109 |
| 2020-21 | — | 4,261 |
| 2021-22 | — | 4,286 |
| 2022-23 | — | 4,263 |
| 2023-24 | — | 4,323 |
| 2024-25 | — | 4,840 |
| 2025-26 | 4,813* | — |
| 2026-27 | 4,465* | — |
| 2027-28 | 4,340* | — |
| 2028-29 | 4,086* | — |
Results at a glance
How many indicators met their target each year, as reported in the Departmental Results Reports. Source: GC InfoBase.
Core responsibility indicators
| Report year | Met | Not met | No result reported | Not yet due | Share met (of met and not met) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 75% |
| 2019-20 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 67% |
| 2020-21 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 64% |
| 2021-22 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 73% |
| 2022-23 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 82% |
| 2023-24 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 79% |
| 2024-25 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 86% |
Program indicators
| Report year | Met | Not met | No result reported | Not yet due | Share met (of met and not met) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 27 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 56% |
| 2019-20 | 29 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 59% |
| 2020-21 | 28 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 52% |
| 2021-22 | 42 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 71% |
| 2022-23 | 43 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 72% |
| 2023-24 | 40 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 63% |
| 2024-25 | 39 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 70% |
Results by core responsibility
Science and Innovation (30 indicators)
Historical: targets against results
Citation score of National Research Council generated publications relative to world average
2024-25Target: ≥ 1.25 (2025)Result: 1.45Met
Number of NRC peer-reviewed publications with contributions from other federal government departments
2024-25Target: ≥ 60 (2025)Result: 68Met
Number of peer-reviewed publications generated by the NRC
2024-25Target: ≥ 1,050 (2025)Result: 1,473Met
Percentage growth in Canada's science and technology related jobs through National Research Council supported firms (Industrial Research Assistance Program-engaged firms)
2024-25Target: ≥ 10% (2025)Result: 13%Met
Percentage revenue growth of firms engaged with the National Research Council (Industrial Research Assistance Program-engaged firms)
2024-25Target: ≥ 20% (2025)Result: 33%Met
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of Indigenous Peoples relative to Canadian average labour market availability
2024-25Target: ≥ 0.77 (2025)Result: 0.77Met
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of persons with disabilities relative to Canadian average labour market availability
2024-25Target: ≥ 0.7 (2025)Result: 0.71Met
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of racialized persons relative to Canadian average labour market availability
2024-25Target: ≥ 1 (2025)Result: 1.16Met
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of women relative to Canadian average labour market availability
2024-25Target: ≥ 1 (2025)Result: 1.09Met
Revenue earned from clients and collaborators
2024-25Target: ≥ $82M (2025)Result: $69.5MNot met
Revenue earned from other federal government departments
2024-25Target: ≥ $80M (2025)Result: $104MMet
Number of licence agreements
2024-25Target: ≥ 35 (2025)Result: 46Met
Number of patents issued to the NRC
2024-25Target: ≥ 100 (2025)Result: 99Not met
Percentage of R&D clients who report positive benefits of working with the NRC
2024-25Target: ≥ 90% (2025)Result: 95%Met
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of underrepresented groups relative to Canadian average labour market availability in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
2022-23Target: ≥ 1 (2023)Result: 1.04Met
Client financial investment in technology development supported by NRC research and development services and scientific and technological infrastructure
2019-20Target: ≥ $92.5M (2020)Result: $88.5MNot met
National Research Council investment in collaborative work with other federal government departments in Government priority areas
2019-20Target: ≥ $54.9M (2020)Result: $77.7MMet
Number of scientific and other publications (e.g., technical papers, committee proceedings, reports) generated by National Research Council research leaders in Government priority areas
2019-20Target: ≥ 1,318 (2020)Result: 1,228Not met
Number of unique intellectual assets (e.g., patents, disclosures, publications) generated by National Research Council research leaders
2019-20Target: ≥ 1,142 (2020)Result: 1,174Met
Percentage of R&D clients who report positive benefits (e.g., increase in jobs, sales, R&D expenditures or other) of working with NRC
2019-20Target: ≥ 86% (2020)Result: 92%Met
Firm investment in National Research Council research and development services and scientific and technological infrastructure
2018-19Target: ≥ $80M (2019)Result: $79.7MNot met
Percentage growth in Canada's science and technology related jobs through National Research Council supported firms (research and development-engaged firms)
2018-19Target: TBD (2019)Result: S/ONo result reported
Percentage revenue growth of firms engaged with the National Research Council (research and development-engaged firms)
2018-19Target: TBD (2019)Result: S/ONo result reported
Current: the 2026-27 plan's targets
Citation score of National Research Council generated publications relative to world average
2026-27Target: ≥ 1.3 (2027)Result: —Planned
Number of external collaborators working with NRC
2026-27Target: ≥ 75 (2027)Result: —Planned
Number of first formal patent applications filed per patent family, by the NRC
2026-27Target: ≥ 28 (2027)Result: —Planned
Number of NRC peer-reviewed publications with contributions from other federal government departments
2026-27Target: ≥ 150 (2027)Result: —Planned
Number of peer-reviewed publications generated by the NRC
2026-27Target: ≥ 1,100 (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage growth in Canada's science and technology related jobs through National Research Council supported firms (Industrial Research Assistance Program-engaged firms)
2026-27Target: ≥ 8% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of active NRC patents that are licensed
2026-27Target: ≥ 26% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of co-publications with external partners
2026-27Target: ≥ 80% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of first formal patent applications filed from co-inventions
2026-27Target: ≥ 32% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of industry clients reporting positive impacts as a result of working with the NRC
2026-27Target: ≥ 90% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage of other federal department clients reporting positive impacts as a result of working with the NRC
2026-27Target: ≥ 90% (2027)Result: —Planned
Percentage revenue growth of firms engaged with the National Research Council (Industrial Research Assistance Program-engaged firms)
2026-27Target: ≥ 23% (2027)Result: —Planned
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of Indigenous Peoples relative to Canadian average labour market availability
2026-27Target: ≥ 0.85 (2027)Result: —Planned
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of persons with disabilities relative to Canadian average labour market availability
2026-27Target: ≥ 0.8 (2027)Result: —Planned
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of racialized persons relative to Canadian average labour market availability
2026-27Target: ≥ 1 (2027)Result: —Planned
Ratio of the National Research Council workforce made up of women relative to Canadian average labour market availability
2026-27Target: ≥ 1 (2027)Result: —Planned
Revenue earned from clients and collaborators
2026-27Target: ≥ $74M (2027)Result: —Planned
Revenue earned from other federal government departments
2026-27Target: ≥ $103M (2027)Result: —Planned
Future goals: targets due after 2026-27
No targets with a later due date.
Internal Services (0 indicators)
No indicators reported for this core responsibility.
Programs
| Program | Core responsibility | Status | Latest plan, first year | Last actual | Indicators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Research Assistance Program · BNQ08 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $678M 2026-27 | $543M 2024-25 | 2 |
| Aerospace · BNQ01 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $167M 2026-27 | $82.3M 2024-25 | 6 |
| Quantum and Nanotechnologies · BNQ28 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $92.8M 2026-27 | $58.9M 2024-25 | 4 |
| Special Purpose Real Property (Enabling) · BNQ21 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $82.4M 2026-27 | $69.2M 2024-25 | 1 |
| Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics · BNQ06 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $71.3M 2026-27 | $118M 2024-25 | 6 |
| TRIUMF · BNQ17 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $70.4M 2026-27 | $61.2M 2024-25 | 1 |
| Construction · BNQ04 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $69M 2026-27 | $68M 2024-25 | 7 |
| Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program · BNQ22 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $66.2M 2026-27 | $48.7M 2024-25 | 1 |
| Real Property Management Services · ISS08 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $59.8M 2026-27 | $57.5M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Human Health Therapeutics · BNQ07 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $56.2M 2026-27 | $67M 2024-25 | 7 |
| Automotive and Surface Transportation · BNQ03 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $54.3M 2026-27 | $54.6M 2024-25 | 6 |
| Clean Energy Innovation · BNQ05 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $46.4M 2026-27 | $54M 2024-25 | 7 |
| Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre · BNQ27 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $45.5M 2026-27 | $56.8M 2024-25 | 1 |
| Digital Technologies · BNQ24 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $45.1M 2026-27 | $27.9M 2024-25 | 6 |
| Information Technology Services · ISS07 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $38.9M 2026-27 | $42.7M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Metrology · BNQ11 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $36.9M 2026-27 | $34.5M 2024-25 | 6 |
| Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering · BNQ15 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $33.2M 2026-27 | $25.5M 2024-25 | 7 |
| Management and Oversight Services · ISS01 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $31.4M 2026-27 | $36M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Aquatic and Crop Resource Development · BNQ02 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $27.7M 2026-27 | $31.1M 2024-25 | 6 |
| Human Resources Management Services · ISS04 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $21.9M 2026-27 | $22.9M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Biologics Manufacturing Centre · BNQ26 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $21M 2026-27 | $27.3M 2024-25 | 2 |
| National Science Library · BNQ14 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $15.1M 2026-27 | $15.9M 2024-25 | 2 |
| Financial Management Services · ISS05 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $14.6M 2026-27 | $14.5M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Medical Devices · BNQ12 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $13.8M 2026-27 | $16.6M 2024-25 | 7 |
| Design & Fabrication Services (Enabling) · BNQ19 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $13.6M 2026-27 | $14.4M 2024-25 | 2 |
| Research Information Technology Platforms (Enabling) · BNQ20 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $13.1M 2026-27 | $13.8M 2024-25 | 2 |
| Communications Services · ISS02 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $11M 2026-27 | $12.4M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Acquisition Management Services · ISS0Z | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $7.4M 2026-27 | $6.3M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Information Management Services · ISS06 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $5.8M 2026-27 | $6.9M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Materiel Management Services · ISS09 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $3.9M 2026-27 | $5.5M 2024-25 | 0 |
| International Affiliations · BNQ10 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $903K 2026-27 | $773K 2024-25 | 3 |
| Legal Services · ISS03 | Internal Services | New since an earlier plan | $794K 2026-27 | $1.7M 2024-25 | 0 |
| Genomics Research and Development Initiative Shared Priority Projects · BNQ25 | Science and Innovation | New since an earlier plan | $0 2026-27 | — | 2 |
| Technology Development and Advancement · CTA00 | Canadian businesses prosper from innovative technologies. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $372M 2017-18 | 0 |
| Industrial Research Assistance Program · BMM00 | Canadian businesses prosper from innovative technologies. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $277M 2017-18 | 0 |
| Internal Services · ISC00 | Internal Services | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $245M 2017-18 | 0 |
| Manufacturing Technologies · BMK00 | Advancements in the development and deployment of innovative technologies in targeted Canadian industries and national priority areas in support of federal priorities in innovation and science and technology. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $130M 2013-14 | 0 |
| Science Infrastructure and Measurement · APY00 | Research and Development infrastructure for an innovative and knowledge-based economy. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $123M 2017-18 | 0 |
| Health and Life Science Technologies · BMN00 | Advancements in the development and deployment of innovative technologies in targeted Canadian industries and national priority areas in support of federal priorities in innovation and science and technology. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $87.4M 2013-14 | 0 |
| Information and Communications Technologies and Emerging Technologies · BML00 | Advancements in the development and deployment of innovative technologies in targeted Canadian industries and national priority areas in support of federal priorities in innovation and science and technology. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $62.1M 2013-14 | 0 |
| Advanced Electronics and Photonics · BNQ23 | Science and Innovation | Appeared and later dropped | $58.5M 2023-24 | $51.9M 2023-24 | 7 |
| Energy and Environmental Technologies · APX00 | Advancements in the development and deployment of innovative technologies in targeted Canadian industries and national priority areas in support of federal priorities in innovation and science and technology. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $37.9M 2013-14 | 0 |
| Security and Disruptive Technologies · BNQ16 | Science and Innovation | Appeared and later dropped | $20.7M 2023-24 | $17.9M 2023-24 | 7 |
| Scientific, Technical and Medical Information · APZ00 | Canadians have access to research and development information and infrastructure. | Not in a Departmental Plan | — | $19.7M 2013-14 | 0 |
| Business Management Support (Enabling) · BNQ18 | Science and Innovation | Appeared and later dropped | $12.8M 2025-26 | $12.6M 2024-25 | 3 |
| Nanotechnology · BNQ13 | Science and Innovation | Appeared and later dropped | $11.3M 2023-24 | $10.8M 2023-24 | 7 |
| Information and Communications Technologies · BNQ09 | Science and Innovation | Appeared and later dropped | $0 2019-20 | $48.9M 2018-19 | 3 |
