In astronomy, scientific progress is inseparably linked to technological innovation. Our ability to observe the Universe and explore new frontiers is driven by the development of instruments and information systems that far exceed the capacity of commercially available products.

NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics is advancing astronomy through instrument development and data management. The goal of the business development office is to create and enhance opportunities for industrial development and tech transfer of NRC-HIA knowledge and technology in these areas.

We are always looking for industrial partners who can help us to solve instrumentation challenges or commercialize leading edge technology. While we have some technologies that can be licensed for your use, we can also work with your company in a co-development mode or provide access to international opportunities for Canadian companies in large offshore telescopes.

NRC-HIA has helped put the most advanced technologies on the world's best telescopes. If you have ideas and think NRC-HIA could be a good partner, please contact the Business Development Office. Make our expertise the start of your next solution.

Current Opportunities:

Digital Signal Processing – technologies to meet challenging signal processing and real-time computing requirements
Adaptive Optics – reducing distortions of optical wavelengths
Composite Radio Astronomy Antennas - lighter and stiffer than metal structures, yielding high performance over wide operating temperature ranges
Thirty Meter Telescope – opportunities for companies to participate in building the biggest telescope on Earth

FAQ

Where is NRC-HIA located?
We have two locations: for optical astronomy we operate the Dominion Astronomical Observatory at 5071 West Saanich Road, Victoria, B.C.; for radio astronomy we operate the Dominion Radio Astronomical Observatory at 717 White Lake Road, Penticton, B.C. In addition we represent Canada on the boards of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, the Gemini Observatory, the Atacama Large Millimetre Array, and the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope.

Does NRC-HIA provide funding for research?
The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) is the funding arm of NRC for industrial research in small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as provides information on other sources of finance and assistance.

How do I sell my company's products or services to NRC-HIA?

We are interested in talking to companies that might be able to supply a project we are participating in: the Thirty Meter Telescope (www.tmt.org). For those inquiries, please contact Scott Roberts.