Aerospace Research Centre

The Aerospace Research Centre is shaping the future of aviation.

About NRC

The National Research Council of Canada

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) operates a network of 12 research centres across the country, covering a wide variety of fields: aerospace, aquatic and crop resources, automotive and surface transportation, clean energy innovation, construction, digital technologies, astronomy and astrophysics, human health therapeutics, medical devices, metrology, ocean, coastal and river engineering, and quantum and nanotechnologies, among others.

The NRC’s mission is to have an impact by advancing knowledge, applying leading-edge technologies, and working with innovators to find creative, relevant, and sustainable solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Together with HIDA, the NRC organizes the Canada Mobility Program, which offers doctoral researchers and postdocs from the Helmholtz Association and the NRC institutes the opportunity to undertake a research stay.

Learn more about the program!

Its work focuses on developing technologies for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) and drones that can transport people and goods in urban, rural, and remote areas. The aim is to integrate these innovations safely and efficiently while supporting regulation, certification, and Canada’s leadership in this sector.

Research covers autonomy, detect-and-avoid systems, airspace modelling, low-noise propulsion, remote sensing, and counter-drone solutions. The NRC also pursues advances in AI-enabled technologies such as flight autonomy, remote sensing, and simulation. With access to state-of-the-art facilities—including wind tunnels, robotics labs, propulsion test sites, and acoustic chambers—researchers benefit from unique infrastructure, multidisciplinary expertise, and strong links to industry and regulators. This makes the NRC an attractive place for conducting cutting-edge research on the future of aerial transport.

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Expertise in Data Science and AI

Application of AI to flight autonomy, detect-and-avoid, remote sensing, and path planning
Advanced modelling and simulation support, including CFD and physics-based analysis, driven by data science methods
Development of AI tools for supply chains and VTOL/UAS operations
Research on AI-enabled counter-drone systems, remote sensing, and digital twin simulations with high-performance computing

How to Apply

Step 1: First, contact the NRC International Office (contact person: Terrie Romano: munic.nrc-cnrc@international.gc.ca) to discuss the possibility of a research stay. This ensures that your planned stay aligns with the relevant research areas.
Step 2: Next, reach out to a research group at one of the NRC institutes in Canada to plan the details of your stay. If you are unsure which research group might be suitable for you, you may also consult the NRC International Office for guidance.
Step 3: Submit your application through the following application portal.

Apply now!

Step 4: Your application will be reviewed by a selection committee, and you will receive a notification regarding the outcome of your funding decision.

You can find more details about the application process here!