Advisory services

For Canadian small and medium-sized businesses working on new technologies or innovative products, having the right expertise can be just as important as funding. The Advisory Services offered through the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) are designed to support innovation from the earliest idea through to commercialization, giving business owners access to seasoned guidance that helps reduce risk and sharpen decision-making.

Through this program, companies across Canada can work directly with Industrial Technology Advisors who bring deep engineering or science backgrounds along with real-world management experience. These advisors act as trusted partners, helping businesses navigate technical challenges, refine development plans, and think strategically about markets and growth. While financial support may be available for certain innovation projects, the real strength of this offering lies in the hands-on advice, problem-solving support, and tailored insights provided throughout the project lifecycle.

Beyond one-on-one guidance, NRC IRAP connects businesses to a broad innovation ecosystem that includes universities, colleges, industry partners, and additional sources of expertise and financing. This makes the Advisory Services especially valuable for companies looking to scale, commercialize new technology, or strengthen their innovation capacity. For business owners who want to understand how this national program could support their next innovation project, exploring the full details can help clarify the potential fit and next steps.