Opened: January 2025
Introduction
Statistics Canada invites data academics, researchers, producers and data users, representatives of business associations, government bodies at the federal, provincial and local levels, and all other interested parties to submit proposals for the revision to the Canadian Research and Development Classification (CRDC).
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Statistics Canada have collaboratively developed and released a new Canadian Research and Development Classification (CRDC) 2020 Version 1.0 in October 2020. This shared standard classification is available for use by the federal research granting agencies, Statistics Canada and any other organization or individual that find it useful to implement. The CRDC is aligned with international research and development classification standards.
Statistics Canada, as custodian of the CRDC, and its close partner research funding agencies, have agreed to undertake updates of the classification if deemed necessary every year or two for update not affecting the scope of the classification items (change in scope only exceptionally), and maintain regular revision cycle every five years opened to all types of changes.
Following the decision of Statistics Canada's Economic Standards Steering Committee (ESSC) on December 16, 2024, to institute a permanent consultation process for the CRDC, proposals for changes to CRDC may be submitted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Only a cut-off date for considering proposed changes to be included in a next version of the CRDC will be instituted moving forward. For example, for CRDC 2026, the deadline for changes to be included has been set to the end of August 2025. For revisions beyond 2026, such a cut-off date will be maintained at about one year to one and a half year prior to the release date of the new classification version based on the 5-year revision cycle.
Objective of the consultation
This consultation aims to gather feedback from users who have already implemented the classification, as well as other interested parties who might want to suggest updates or changes to the Canadian Research and Development Classification (CRDC).
Federal research funding agencies, Statistics Canada's statistical programs related to R&D data, members of the research community and their partners, and the rest of the Canadian population are invited to provide feedback for the revision of the CRDC.
The principal objective of the ongoing consultation is to receive input from classification users to determine if the classification remains relevant and reflective of the Canadian R&D landscape. This ensures that quantitative and qualitative information on research and experimental development, including their socioeconomic objectives, continues to be reliable, timely and relevant for a wide range of audiences.
Background
Canada's research funding agencies were using a number of different research classifications across their programs. In most cases, these classifications only covered the mandate of a specific agency rather than all sectors of research, had not been updated in many years, were not aligned with international standards, no longer accurately represent today's research landscape, and only partially met the needs of different end-users. In addition, a growing emphasis on interdisciplinary research, increased international collaboration, the rapid evolution of some research fields, and the increased desire for consistent inter-agency reporting are important additional drivers behind the development of the CRDC.
In 2017, the federal research granting agencies jointly started the development of the Canada Research and Development Classification (CRDC), with Statistics Canada serving as the custodian of the new standard and providing its expertise on statistical standards development and maintenance. To learn more about the development process and subsequent updates to the classification, we refer users to the introduction of the CRDC 2020 Version 2.0.
The CRDC provides a number of benefits such as the ability to produce an up-to-date, relevant and conceptually sound classification, a common approach to classifying research (including multi- or interdisciplinary research) across research organizations and governments, and it can assist in communication, consistent reporting, identification of gaps and opportunities, stronger collaborations, and optimized support for new and innovative research.
In addition, the CRDC provides a framework which enables comparisons with other classifications used nationally and internationally.
To support international comparisons and rely on a sound conceptual base, the definition, scope and classification of R&D activities contained in CRDC largely follow the guidelines prescribed in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), "Frascati Manual 2015 – Guidelines for collecting and reporting data on research and experimental development". For users with the intention of using this classification thoroughly, it is recommended to read that manual as well.
One of the commitments made by the Agencies after the first version was released, was to review the CRDC every 2 years for a minor review (generally limited to lower levels of the classification system) and adopt the 5-year revision cycle for the classification, which included any level of the classification that can be subject to change as appropriate and in respect to the alignment to other international R&D classification frameworks, notably the Frascati Manual. The latest version of the classification is CRDC 2020 Version 2.0 which was released in April 2024.
Nature and content of proposals
Respondents are invited to provide their comments, feedback, and suggestions on how to improve the CRDC, including a rationale for proposed changes to the classification items. A classification item represents a category at a certain level within the statistical classification. It defines the content and the borders of the category. An object or unit can be classified to one and only one classification item at each level of a statistical classification.
Respondents may propose virtual (not affecting the meaning of a classification item) and real changes (affecting the meaning or scope of a classification item, whether accompanied by changes in naming and/or coding or not). Examples of real changes are: the creation of new classification items, the combination or decomposition of classification items, as well as the elimination of classification items. A classification item (sometimes referred to as a "class") represents a category at a certain level within a statistical classification structure. It defines the content and the borders of the category, and generally contains a code, title, definition/description, as well as exclusions where necessary. The CRDC is a system of classifications with 3 components with their own coding scheme: the Type Of Activity (TOA), the Field of Research (FOR) and the Socioeconomic Objectives (SEO). For the CRDC 2020 Version 2.0, classifications items are:
For Type of Activity (TOA):
- Division: 1-digit, numerical
For Type of Research (TOR):
- Division: 2-digit, numerical
- Group: 3-digit, numerical
- Class: 5-digit, numerical
- Subclass (Field): 7-digit, numerical
For Socioeconomic objectives (SEO):
- Division: 3-digit, numerical
- Group: 5-digit, numerical
Key dates for CRDC 2026 revision process and beyond
Here are key dates for the CRDC revision process:
- Official public consultation period for proposed changes to be included in the CRDC 2026 Version 1.0: Ongoing until end of August 2025. Beyond this revision, the cut-off date to incorporate approved changes from proposals into the new classification version will be about a year to a year and a half before the release date of the next version of the CRDC, based on a 5-year revision cycle and as part of the permanent consultation process.
- Release of a 'what we heard report' by the end of 2025.
- Public notice containing the final approved proposal for changes to be included in the CRDC 2026 V1.0: June 2026.
- Public release of the CRDC 2026 V1.0: December 2026.
Individuals and organizations wishing to submit proposals for changes in the CRDC may do so at any time, in accordance with the permanent consultation process adopted by Statistics Canada with regards to the CRDC.
How to provide feedback during the permanent consultation?
Proposals for the revision of the CRDC must contain the contact information of those submitting the change request:
- Full Name
- Organization (when an individual is proposing changes on behalf of an organization)
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Phone number
Should additional information or clarification to the proposal be required, participants might be contacted.
Proposals must be submitted by email to statcan.crdc-ccrd.statcan@statcan.gc.ca
Consultation guidelines for submitting proposals for change in the CRDC
Individuals or organizations are encouraged to follow the guidelines below when developing their proposals.
Proposals should:
- be based on the latest version of the CRDC (e.g., CRDC 2020 Version 2.0, for the 2026 revision)therefore reading it is important before submitting changes;
- clearly identify the proposed addition or change to the latest version of the classification this can include the creation of entirely new classification items related to the subclasses (or any other lowest level), classes, divisions, groups, or modifications to existing classification items within these categories;
- outline the rationale and include supporting information for the proposed change;
- when possible, describe the empirical significance (i.e., expenses, value-added or GDP, number of researchers, etc.) of proposed changes, and especially real structural changes (resulting in a change in the scope of a current classification item);
- be consistent with classification principles and conceptual basics (e.g., mutual exclusivity, exhaustiveness and homogeneity within categories, what defines R&D);
- be relevant, that is, proposals should:
- describe the present analytical interest;
- define how the change would enhance the usefulness of data;
- be based on appropriate statistical research or subject matter expertise.
Please consider the questions below (though not exclusively) when preparing your input for the consultation on the revision of CRDC:
- Are there research and development (R&D) services or activities for which you cannot find a satisfactory CRDC code?
- Are there R&D activities or services that you find difficult to place in the CRDC?
- Are there any classification elements in the CRDC that you find difficult to use because their descriptions are vague or confusing?
- Are any R&D activities or services missing in the CRDC? If so, which ones and where would you place them in the classification structure?
- Are there R&D or combinations of R&D that have significant economic value and analytical interest that you would like to see with a specific or separate CRDC classification item (e.g., division, group, class and subclass, etc.)?
- Are there classification items you find difficult to use because their descriptions are vague or unclear?
- Are there pairs of classification items you find difficult to distinguish from each other? Are there boundaries that could be clarified?
- Are there R&D activities or services that you can locate in CRDC, but you would like to have them located in a different classification item or level of R&D activities? Please clearly indicate why;
- Is the language, terminology or definitions used in CRDC in need of updating to be consistent with current usage in the research and experiment development field? Please provide as much detail as possible.
Note that submissions do not need to cover every topic; you can submit your comments or proposals on your specific area(s) of concern only.
The following criteria can be used to review the proposals received:
- consistency with classification principles such as mutual exclusivity, exhaustiveness, and homogeneity of R&D activities or services within categories, with no overlapping to avoid double counting;
- have empirical significance as an R&D activity or service, expenditures (government and private sectors), number of researchers involved, etc.;
- are related to collectable and publishable data;
- be relevant, that is, it must be of analytical interest, result in data useful to users, and be based on appropriate statistical research, subject-matter expertise and administrative relevance.
- be consistent with the Canadian System of National Accounts to some extent (for statistical purposes);
- special attention could be given to specific R&D activities or services, including:
- new or emerging R&D activities or services;
- R&D related to new or advanced technologies;
- any field of research or socioeconomic objective that may be missing from the latest version of the classification.
Treatment of change proposals
Statistics Canada will review all proposals received in collaboration with research funding agencies. They reserve the right to use independent parties or other government employees, if deemed necessary, to assess change proposals.
The federal research granting agencies and Statistics Canada will consider feedback received from this consultation to finalize the revision of Canadian Research and Development Classification (CRDC) 2020 V2.0, which will result in a new version to be published before the end of 2026, as the CRDC 2026 Version 1.0. Beyond this revision, as part of the permanent revision process, this type of collaboration between Statistics Canada and the federal research funding granting agencies will continue according to agreements to be negotiated between them.
If deemed appropriate, a representative of Statistics Canada or the research funding agencies will contact respondents (including virtual or physical meetings) to ask additional questions or seek clarification on a particular aspect of their proposal.
A report summarizing the findings of this consultation will be published on the Statistics Canada website later in 2025.
Please note each proposal received will not necessarily result in a change to the CRDC.
Official languages
Proposals may be written in either of Canada's official languages - English or French.
Confidentiality
Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of consultation participants. All personal information created, held or collected by the Agency is protected by the Privacy Act. For more information on Statistics Canada's privacy policies, please consult the Privacy notice.
Note of appreciation
We thank all respondents in advance for their interest and participation in the permanent consultation on the revision of the Canadian Research and Development Classification (CRDC). Your contributions are valuable to us.