NRC — Metrology Research Centre
Last Update: July 22, 2025
Canada
Collaborate on measurement R&D
NRC — Metrology Research Centre at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : November 14, 2019
Financing Type
Researchers And Facilities
Expert Advice
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
- Government of Canada
Program status
Open
Overview of the NRC — Metrology Research Centre program
Access technical and advisory services, research facilities and licensing opportunities for measurement research.
Eligible projects & activities
The NRC Metrology Research Centre grant aids projects that aim to enhance metrological services and standards, which are pivotal for technology and industrial sectors in Canada. Eligible activities are focused on innovation, calibration, and measurement in varied scientific and industrial domains.
- Development of new measurement and calibration standards for emerging technologies.
- Innovations in nanoscale measurement techniques, including development of reference materials for nanomaterials.
- Enhancing biometrology to address biotech measurement needs, like vaccine adjuvants and antibody drug conjugates.
- Improvement of black carbon measurement and calibration tools.
- Collaborative research initiatives to establish measurement science standards.
- Projects on photometry, radiometry, thermometry, and ionizing radiation standards.
- Development and licensing of metrology-related software and technologies.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 150,000
Establishing a calibration assessment service for aerospace industries
$ 40,000
Developing advanced measurement methods for local environmental monitoring
$ 50,000
Enhancing measurement systems for food quality control
$ 70,000
Setting up a measurement services facility for tech startups
$ 80,000
Creating a calibration laboratory for medical devices
$ 100,000
Implementing a new system for chemical purity analysis's oil industry
Eligibility criteria of the NRC — Metrology Research Centre program
Eligibility for collaboration and funding opportunities from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's involvement in targeted industries and fields of research and development.
- The applicant must be involved in the development of new measurement/calibration standards, measurement instruments, or Certified Reference Materials.
- The applicant must partake in targeted industries such as energy, health, industrial processing, or emerging technologies.
- The applicant must be able to leverage NRC's state-of-the-art facilities and metrology infrastructure.
- The applicant should focus on research areas such as nanoscale measurement, environmental metrology, or biological metrology.
Who is eligible?
This grant targets organizations and entities involved in high-precision measurement and metrology activities, aiming to support industrial competitiveness and regulatory compliance in Canada through collaboration and strategic research projects.
- Organizations in the fields of nanoscale measurement, environmental metrology, and biological metrology seeking collaboration opportunities.
- Entities engaged in developing new measurement/calibration standards, measurement instruments, and Certified Reference Materials.
- Industries involved in emerging technologies requiring high-precision measurement services.
- Companies operating in targeted sectors such as energy, health, and industrial processing where precision measurement is critical to market success.
- All industry sectors benefiting from metrology services, particularly where accurate and traceable measurements are necessary to define national and international standards.
Eligible expenses
This grant supports research and development projects in measurement science and metrology, with a focus on emerging technologies and national standards. It aims to foster collaboration and innovation across various industries reliant on precise measurement systems.
- Development of new measurement and calibration standards.
- Research in nanoscale measurement and development of reference materials for nanomaterials.
- Biometrology research, including vaccine adjuvants and protein mass spectroscopy.
- Improvement of black carbon metrology techniques and uncertainty reduction.
- Collaboration on radiation therapy tool calibration and development.
- Development of frequency, time, and ionizing radiation standards.
Eligibility criteria of the NRC — Metrology Research Centre program
There are evaluation and selection criteria.
- Applicant’s qualifications and experience related to the research project
- Relevance and originality of the proposed research
Additional information
The following are additional relevant details for prospective grant applicants:
- Collaboration with NRC Metrology provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and aids in reducing start-up costs and accelerating commercial timelines.
- The MSET program particularly seeks partners in nanoscale measurement, environmental metrology, and biological metrology, offering opportunities for strategic project collaboration.
- Engaging with NRC can de-risk product development and enhance projects with advanced metrology infrastructure and expertise.
- NRC's services have a broad reach, benefiting researchers and scientists across industries like energy, health, and industrial processing where precision measurement is crucial.
- The Metrology for Industry and Society (MIS) program enhances industrial competitiveness through improved measurement capabilities aimed at existing and emerging markets.
- The Scientific Support for the National Measurement System (SSNMS) focuses on developing a cohesive measurement system that bolsters Canadian industry standards and international trade practices.
- Licensing opportunities are available for NRC-developed software and technologies, which can aid in meeting specific needs and conditions.
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