What are Canada's Global Innovation Clusters?
In 2017, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $950M over 5 years to accelerate the growth and development of highly-innovative industries that would energize the economy and position Canadian firms for global leadership in these areas.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada launched the Global Innovation Clusters to support business-led innovation and large-scale collaboration among industry leaders, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and post‑secondary institutions, to develop and scale high-potential technologies in advanced manufacturing, agri‑food, clean technology, digital technology, health, bioscience and clean resources, infrastructure and transportation.
How the NRC is supporting the clusters
The NRC developed 5 funded collaborative research and development (R&D) programs led by NRC program directors. They are made up of a series of projects that work towards supporting Clusters program objectives. Projects can involve a range of research and technical services, foundational R&D, knowledge mobilization, and pre-commercialization activities.
These funded collaborative R&D programs help bring together the NRC's national network of researchers and facilities with collaborators from industry, academia, and governments to work on game-changing scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs. Grant and contribution (G&C) funding is provided through the NRC's National Program Office (NPO) to collaborators offering complementary expertise, including academic institutions and SMEs.
The Cluster support programs are a component of the new collaborative research and development programs announced in 2019, as part of the Canada Innovation and Skills Plan and commitment to support business innovation.
Collaborate with us
Learn more about opportunities for collaboration in any of our 5 Cluster Support programs:
Advanced Manufacturing
Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada's Next Generation Manufacturing cluster.
Areas of interest include:
- Automation and robotics
- Machine vision
- Inspection and sensors
- Simulations and modelling
- Additive manufacturing
- Advanced materials manufacturing
Artificial Intelligence for Logistics
Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada's AI- Powered Supply Chains cluster (Scale AI).
Areas of interest include:
- Transportation and warehousing
- Condition of infrastructure and goods
- Cybersecurity for logistics
- Canadian logistics AI‑powered modelling
Digital Health and Geospatial Analytics
Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada's Digital Technology cluster.
Areas of interest include:
- Artificial intelligence and digital enablement for health - using artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve healthcare delivery and connect it to real-world, evidence-based clinical research
- Geospatial Analytics - using digital geospatial technologies to solve compelling challenges in areas such as agriculture, forestry, environmental monitoring, transportation, and clean energy
Ocean
Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada's Ocean cluster.
Areas of interest include:
- Bio assets
- Intelligent marine assets
- Coastal resilience
- Pollution remediation
Sustainable Protein Production
Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada's Protein Industries cluster.
Areas of interest include:
- Genetics and genomics
- Pre‑breeding crop development and plant technologies
- Microalgal and macroalgal protein
- Microbial communities
- Processing and ingredients
- Food safety, traceability and sustainability
