Canadian aerospace suppliers often need advanced manufacturing support to meet OEM requirements, reduce costs, or improve environmental performance. The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) offers hands-on aerospace manufacturing expertise through its Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Centre (AMTC). This is not a grant program. However, it can play a critical role in strengthening your technical capabilities. It can also support funded R&D projects.
The NRC — Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Centre (AMTC) is a federal R&D facility that provides fee-for-service technical support to aerospace companies across the supply chain. Its mandate is to support the design and development of the next generation of cost-effective and environmentally friendly aircraft.
Key facts for aerospace suppliers:
Because AMTC is not a grant, companies often pair NRC technical work with other funding programs to offset costs.
The AMTC is open to aerospace industry clients across the supply chain, not just large OEMs. This includes:
There is no minimum company size listed. What matters is that your project aligns with aerospace manufacturing or aircraft design priorities.
Aerospace supply chain companies typically engage the NRC AMTC for applied R&D and problem-solving, not basic research. Supported project areas include:
Projects are scoped jointly with NRC researchers to match your technical challenge and business goals.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you identify grants that may help cover NRC project costs, filtered by province, industry, and technology focus.
Working with NRC aerospace manufacturing experts follows a structured process. The main steps are outlined below.
You outline your technical challenge or R&D objective to the NRC team.
NRC researchers help define the project scope, timelines, and technical deliverables.
Pricing is set on a project-by-project basis and depends on the scope and resources required.
NRC experts work directly with your team using NRC facilities and equipment.
This structure makes the AMTC especially useful for targeted manufacturing improvements or pre-commercial R&D.
The NRC Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Centre operates on a fee-for-service model. There is no fixed funding amount or subsidy built into the program itself.
However, aerospace supply chain companies often:
This blended approach can significantly reduce the net cost of working with NRC experts.
Assuming AMTC is a grant
The NRC Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Centre is not a funding program. Budget planning is essential.
Approaching NRC without a defined problem
Vague project ideas slow down scoping. Clear technical objectives lead to better outcomes.
Not aligning NRC work with funding timelines
If you plan to stack grants or tax credits, timing matters.
Ignoring IP and data considerations early
IP terms should be discussed during project scoping, not after work begins.
Q: Is the NRC Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Centre a grant?
No. It is a fee-for-service R&D facility operated by the National Research Council of Canada.
Q: Who is eligible to work with the NRC AMTC?
Aerospace companies across the supply chain, including SMEs and component manufacturers, can access the centre’s services.
Q: What types of projects does the centre support?
Projects focus on aircraft design, manufacturing technologies, cost reduction, and environmental performance improvements.
Q: How much does it cost to work with NRC aerospace facilities?
Costs vary by project scope and are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Can NRC R&D costs be claimed under SR&ED?
In some cases, contracted R&D may be eligible. You should confirm eligibility with a tax professional and CRA guidance.
You may also find these guides helpful:
Working with NRC aerospace manufacturing experts can strengthen your technical capabilities and improve competitiveness across the supply chain. The key is pairing NRC’s fee-for-service support with the right funding mix. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your aerospace business profile and R&D goals.
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