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NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub
Automotive manufacturing innovation space in London
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Fee-for-service research facility helping Canadian automotive manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing approaches, including mass customization, process industrialization, and data-driven factory automation.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
This grant supports collaborative projects and cutting-edge research initiatives within the manufacturing and automotive sectors. Eligible projects focus on leveraging advanced technologies and creating innovative solutions for industry challenges.
- Collaboration projects integrating products and technologies in digital factories or vehicle platforms.
- Development of high-level R&D integration and industrialization technology demonstrators.
- Setting up R&D consortiums for industry advancement.
- Trialling or piloting new systems and demonstrating new technologies with experienced staff.
- Adoption and development of Industry 4.0 technologies for efficient production processes.
- Research and testing related to connected and autonomous vehicle technologies.
- Development of additive manufacturing and surface functionalization technologies.
- Projects involving advanced manufacturing processes like laser micromachining and optical fabrication.
- Implementation of mechatronics, control systems, and data analytics solutions in manufacturing.
- Innovative applications in AI, machine vision, and robotics within manufacturing and automotive labs.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Companies and industries that are part of the automotive and manufacturing supply chain, encompassing manufacturers, integrators, and equipment makers. The hub is open to those who wish to collaborate with NRC specialists to advance manufacturing processes, integrate technologies related to vehicles, and use Industry 4.0 technologies efficiently.Eligible expenses
The NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub offers various collaborative projects and activities aimed at advancing automotive and manufacturing technologies. Eligible projects focus on innovative R&D, technology integration, and the development and demonstration of new manufacturing processes and vehicle technologies.
- Collaboration projects integrating products and technologies from multiple partners into a digital factory or vehicle platform.
- R&D projects developing technology demonstrators in a neutral collaborative space.
- High-level integration and industrialization projects within R&D consortia.
- Development and demonstration of new technologies through trial or pilot systems.
- Implementation of lean manufacturing processes with expert guidance.
- Projects utilizing Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance manufacturing efficiency.
- Research activities focusing on connected/autonomous vehicles, including testing and validation of ICT and AI perception systems.
- Advanced manufacturing and surface modification projects utilizing laser and other deposition technologies.
- Digital twinning and big data modeling projects to optimize manufacturing and vehicle processes.
Eligible geographic areas
The geographical eligibility for companies applying to collaborate with the NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub is not explicitly restricted to specific areas. However, the hub is located in London, Ontario, which places emphasis on its proximity to the Canadian market and manufacturing facilities.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for the NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub:
- The facility is strategically located in London, Ontario, providing proximity to Canadian market, automaker and supplier manufacturing facilities and R&D centres.
- The facility offers access to unique capabilities in Canada, particularly in laser technologies and Industry 4.0.
- It allows for rapidly solving industry problems with novel technology solutions in a flexible and agile collaborative space.
- Access to highly credentialed staff with industry experience is available to assist in R&D and technology demonstration projects.
- The facility promotes the development of new capabilities to harness Industry 4.0 technologies for more efficient manufacturing.
- Confidential workspaces are available to protect sensitive information during collaborative projects.
- It facilitates collaboration among multiple teams, including academic, government, and industry partners.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub?
Fee-for-service research facility helping Canadian automotive manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing approaches, including mass customization, process industrialization, and data-driven factory automation.
Who is eligible for the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub program?
To be eligible for the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub program, you must:
The applicant must be a manufacturer, integrator, or equipment maker involved in automotive or advanced manufacturing sectors.
What expenses are eligible under NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub?
This grant supports collaborative projects and cutting-edge research initiatives within the manufacturing and automotive sectors. Eligible projects focus on leveraging advanced technologies and creating innovative solutions for industry challenges. Collaboration projects integrating products and technologies in digital factories or vehicle platforms.
Development of high-level R&D integration and industrialization technology demonstrators.
Setting up R&D consortiums for industry advancement.
Trialling or piloting new systems and demonstrating new technologies with experienced staff.
Adoption and development of Industry 4.0 technologies for efficient production processes.
Research and testing related to connected and autonomous vehicle technologies.
Development of additive manufacturing and surface functionalization technologies.
Projects involving advanced manufacturing processes like laser micromachining and optical fabrication.
Implementation of mechatronics, control systems, and data analytics solutions in manufacturing.
Innovative applications in AI, machine vision, and robotics within manufacturing and automotive labs.
Who can I contact for more information about the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC).
Where is the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub available?
The NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub program is available across Canada.
Is the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub a grant, loan, or tax credit?
NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub is a Researchers And Facilities
Who are the financial supporters of the NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub?
NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub is funded by National Research Council Canada (NRC), Government of Canada