Springboard summit advances dual-use tech in Atlantic Canada
From the Springboard Content Lab and University of New Brunswick Newsroom
Atlantic Canada’s universities and colleges are increasingly contributing to Canada’s defence and security innovation ecosystem. At the Springboard Atlantic Dual-Use Technology Summit in Fredericton, researchers, industry leaders and government officials explored how university research can support technologies with both civilian and defence applications. Organized through the Springboard Atlantic Network, the event highlighted how applied research partnerships across Atlantic Canada are helping translate academic expertise into real-world innovations that strengthen national security while creating economic opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Atlantic Canada’s universities are playing a growing role in dual-use technology development supporting both civilian and defence sectors.
- The Springboard Atlantic network connects companies with research expertise across 19 universities and colleges in the region.
- Technologies discussed at the summit included artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and advanced materials.
Dual-use technology and defence innovation gain momentum in Atlantic Canada
The Springboard Atlantic Dual-Use Technology Summit in Fredericton brought together researchers, companies and government leaders to explore how Atlantic Canada’s universities are advancing dual-use technologies and position Atlantic Canada as a growing hub for defence innovation.
Dual-use technology refers to innovations that can be used in both civilian and defence applications, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity tools, autonomous systems and advanced materials.
More than 100 attendees took part in the two-day Dual-Use Technology Summit, which included lessons learned from past commercialization successes, insights from export control and public safety experts.
Summit organized by Springboard Network
The summit was organized by members of the Springboard Atlantic network as part of their Springboard 360 series. UNB’s Research and Innovation Partnerships team led the event development, in collaboration with colleagues Acadia University, Memorial University, St. Francis Xavier and industry partner Vimy Forge.
The summit also explored the funding and startup support landscape, emerging partnership opportunities, and discussion of the federal government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, among other topics. The program included rapid-fire presentations on research capabilities and industry needs in the region, as well as the ResearchNB announcement of a new dual-use technology funding program.
Across Atlantic Canada, universities are developing technologies that have the potential to serve both commercial markets and national defence needs. These innovations can be applied in areas such as infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and autonomous systems.
Connecting universities, industry and the defence sector
The summit was part of the Springboard 360° series, which brings together researchers, companies and policymakers to explore opportunities for collaboration around emerging sectors.
Springboard Atlantic’s network of 19 universities and colleges across Atlantic Canada plays a key role in connecting industry partners with research expertise and facilities. Through applied research partnerships, companies can access specialized knowledge, testing infrastructure and talent to accelerate innovation.
These collaborations are increasingly relevant for companies working in sectors linked to defence, security and critical infrastructure, where technologies often have both civilian and military applications.
From university research to defence Innovation
Research teams across the region are working on a range of technologies that can support both commercial markets and defence priorities, including:
- Artificial intelligence and data analytics
- Cybersecurity and digital infrastructure protection
- Autonomous systems and robotics
- Advanced materials and manufacturing technologies
- Ocean and environmental monitoring technologies
Many of these innovations begin as academic research projects but gain momentum through collaboration with industry partners and government agencies.
Events like the Dual-Use Technology Summit help highlight how these capabilities can contribute to Canada’s broader defence and security strategy while also creating economic opportunities for companies in Atlantic Canada.
Growing opportunities for collaboration
As governments invest more heavily in defence innovation and supply chain resilience, universities are becoming increasingly important partners in developing new technologies.
Atlantic Canada’s research institutions offer companies access to expertise in fields ranging from engineering and computer science to ocean technology and advanced manufacturing.
Through networks like Springboard Atlantic, these partnerships help ensure that academic discoveries can move beyond the lab and into real-world applications.
About Springboard Atlantic
Springboard Atlantic is a network of 19 universities and colleges across Atlantic Canada that connects industry with research expertise to accelerate innovation and commercialization. Through initiatives like the Springboard 360° series and programs such as Springboard IP Advantage, the network helps companies access applied research, develop new technologies and navigate intellectual property strategies. Increasingly, Springboard institutions are contributing to Canada’s defence and security innovation ecosystem through research in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced materials and other dual-use technologies.
FAQs
What is dual-use technology?
Dual-use technology refers to innovations that have both civilian and defence applications. Examples include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity tools, robotics and advanced materials that can be used in commercial industries as well as national security or defence contexts.
How are Atlantic Canadian universities contributing to defence innovation?
Universities across Atlantic Canada are conducting research in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing. Through collaborations with industry and government partners, this research can support technologies relevant to defence, infrastructure protection and national security.
What role does Springboard Atlantic play in defence innovation?
Springboard Atlantic connects companies with research expertise across its network of universities and colleges. By facilitating applied research partnerships, the network helps translate academic discoveries into technologies that can be commercialized or applied in sectors such as defence and security.
How can companies work with Springboard institutions?
Companies can collaborate with researchers through applied research projects, technology development partnerships and commercialization initiatives. Springboard Atlantic helps facilitate these connections and supports companies navigating intellectual property and innovation pathways.
What is Springboard IP Advantage?
Springboard IP Advantage is a program designed to help companies working with universities manage intellectual property created through research collaborations, ensuring innovations can be successfully commercialized.