The Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics (HAA) Research Centre at Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) serves as Canada’s gateway to the stars, operating the country’s major observatories and contributing to leading international astronomy initiatives.
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.
Headquartered at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) in Victoria, British Columbia, the center also runs the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) near Penticton. Its role spans from fundamental astrophysical research — such as exoplanets, star and galaxy formation, transient phenomena, and cosmology — to advanced instrumentation, observatory operations, and data science.
Researchers and collaborators have access to optical and radio telescopes, adaptive optics systems, radio receivers and correlators, large-scale scientific computing via the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre (CADC), and opportunities in offshore and international observatories. With strong collaboration across academia, industry, and global consortia, the centre is ideal for research combining scientific discovery, technical innovation, and instrumentation development in astrophysics.
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
