Strengthening Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy: The strategic role of universities in national innovation and security

In an era of geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change, Canada’s security, sovereignty and prosperity depend on our capacity to innovate at home.  

By working with Canadian universities and building on their existing strengths in research and talent, the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) can deepen our alliances and strengthen our sovereignty while fueling innovation and economic growth. 

To achieve this, Universities Canada recommends: 

• Leverage the full capabilities of Canada’s universities to support the Defence Industrial Strategy. 

• Adopt a capability-driven, dual-use technology approach.  

• Use initiatives like BOREALIS to close Canada’s industrial gap by strengthening pathways from university labs to Canadian firms.  

• Leverage granting council programs for speed and scale.  

• Create a national window for university-developed IP and SME access.  

• Align defence innovation with talent and skills pipelines. 

Universities are essential contributors to national sovereignty and defence. Canada’s universities are the largest single contributors to national R&D and a critical component of national security infrastructure — developing the science, people and partnerships that turn defence priorities into operational capability.