The Clean Energy Innovation Research Centre at Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) accelerates the country’s transition to a net-zero economy by developing solutions in clean energy generation, critical minerals, advanced materials, and industrial decarbonization.
About NRC
National Research Council 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.
Through the cooperation between HIDA and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Helmholtz researchers can now undertake research stays of up to three months at NRC’s renowned research centres across Canada.
Created from the NRC’s former Energy, Mining & Environment division as of April 2024, it spans the full technology readiness spectrum — from fundamental research to prototyping and field testing. Its R&D covers areas such as hydrogen production and use, battery energy storage, low-carbon fuels, CO₂ capture/conversion and utilization, sensor technologies, and anaerobic bioprocessing.
Researchers have access to specialized facilities including an advanced materials research facility in Mississauga, pilot-scale battery fabrication lines, sensors hubs, hydrogen-safe laboratories, and demonstration assets for clean energy technologies across multiple NRC campuses.
The centre works with academia, industry of all sizes, other government departments, and collaborates through dedicated “Collaboration Centres” (e.g. with UBC and University of Toronto) to fast-track discovery, reduce environmental footprint, and commercialize clean-energy innovations.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Contact the NRC's International Relations 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, the NRC’s International Relations Office will connect you to the relevant research center so you can plan your stay with them.
- Step 3: Submit your application through the following application portal.
- Step 4: Your application will be reviewed by a selection committee. You will receive a notification regarding the outcome of your funding when a decision is made.
You can find more details about the application process here!
Contact
If you have any questions about the Canada Mobility Program or our other research stay offerings, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.
Stefanie Gruber-Sliva
Networks & Mobility Program Manager
Contact
