Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre - Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy

The Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre (OCRE) at Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) specializes in designing resilient, safe, and sustainable engineering solutions for marine, coastal, riverine, and harsh aquatic environments.

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.

Learn more about the Canada Mobility Program

Established in 2012 by merging the NRC’s Canadian Hydraulics Centre (Ottawa) and Institute for Ocean Technology (St. John’s), OCRE employs around 100-120 experts and works with academia, government, and industry. Its mission spans improving marine transportation (including in ice‐affected waters), enhancing coastal infrastructure and waterways’ resilience against climate change, and developing sustainable technologies for harsh marine environments.

Facilities include large-scale basins, flumes, towing tanks, ice tanks, offshore engineering basins, model testing for hydrodynamics, and digital modelling tools. Working in dual locations (Ottawa, Ontario and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador), the Centre provides testing, evaluation, and prototyping services that bridge novel concepts to operational results in sectors such as shipping, marine infrastructure, coastal protection, and water-resource systems.

Learn more!

Expertise in Data Science and AI

Numerical modelling, simulation, and digital twins for harsh marine and riverine environments, including ice and wave dynamics
Use of AI / machine learning to improve vessel performance, reduce fuel consumption, and enable low-carbon marine transportation
Predictive analytics and sensor data integration for real-time monitoring of marine assets, infrastructure health, and environmental parameters (e.g. ice, currents, hydrodynamics)
Data-driven tools for coastal resilience, flood risk forecasting, erosion protection, and adaptation to climate change
Development of software, models, and digital support for ice expertise, vessel autonomy in ice, and environmental decision support systems

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.

Further information about the application process can be found here.