NRC is the federal government's main research and development agency, dedicated to industrial innovation. Through its research institutes across the country, its national S&T information centre (the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information), and the national network of its Industrial Research Assistance Program, NRC provides Canadians with integrated S&T capabilities in support of innovation. Its research, development, information, standards and technology-transfer activities focus on sectors and technologies of strategic importance to Canada.

With its commitment to enhancing innovation, NRC is taking a more entrepreneurial approach to and technology transfer. This approach will ensure that the scientific knowledge, technologies and related services that NRC generates correspond to the country's technological needs for the short, medium and long term. NRC will focus its investments on partnerships to advance the competitiveness of Canadian industry.

As a leading player in the national system of innovation, NRC provides its clients and partners with access to Canada's best research facilities and expertise, with links to other major Canadian science and technology organizations and leading research institutions around the world.

NRC offers these services through strategic, multi-disciplinary R&D in research laboratories across Canada. From St. John's to Victoria, NRC researchers work with partners in key industries and sectors from aerospace and ocean engineering to precision manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. Recently, NRC has sharpened its focus on strategic areas such as telecommunications, biotechnology, and manufacturing.