Press Release
The CRIAQ RDV Forum 2025: Innovation to Tackle Global Challenges
Montreal, February 26, 2025 – On February 25 and 26, the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ) held the 13th edition of the RDV Forum at the Grand Quai of the Port of Montreal, a flagship event for Quebec’s aerospace sector. Over 500 innovators, including around fifty from Europe, Asia, and the United States, participated—setting a record attendance since its inception.
The RDV Forum: A Catalyst for Engagement and Talent
With the support of some 30 partners from the private, academic, and institutional sectors, the RDV Forum has established itself as a true catalyst for collective engagement within the ecosystem. The event featured more than 35 speakers who shared their expertise on four major themes: decarbonization, advanced air mobility, digital aviation systems, and the role of women in the aerospace sector.
Among the highlights, presentations of about 60 project ideas sparked significant interest, and the competition “My Thesis in Aero in 180 Seconds” brilliantly showcased the promising talent of emerging researchers.
Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives to Propel Aerospace
Partnerships were also formalized during the RDV Forum, including:
- A strategic partnership agreement between CRIAQ and Espace Aéro, the aerospace innovation zone in Quebec, valued at $300,000 for a three-year mandate. This includes, among other things, the leadership and facilitation of the Strategic Scientific Committee and the development of collaborative research projects with pan-Canadian and international reach. The partners are also committed to working together on deliverables, activities, and strategic initiatives to accelerate the deployment of Espace Aéro.
- A co-funding agreement for scholarships between the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and CRIAQ totaling $165,000, divided into two components:
- Women in Aerospace: This program is dedicated to supporting women in choosing university studies in aerospace. It includes five master’s scholarships and five doctoral scholarships, with a total value of $125,000.
- Postdoctoral Level — Sustainable Aerospace: This program aims to support the completion of a postdoctoral study project of at least 12 months, with a grant of $40,000.
- A collaboration agreement between the Quebec Innovation Council and CRIAQ to develop an overview of the aerospace industry in Quebec.
- An enhanced collaboration agreement between the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT) and CRIAQ to streamline the co-funding process for collaborative research and development projects in aerospace, building on the tools and funding levers available to both organizations.
Innovation to Boost Aerospace Sector Competitiveness in Quebec
This edition highlighted the crucial role of innovation and collaborative research as a key driver to increase the competitiveness of Quebec’s aerospace sector, as well as to meet the demands for productivity growth and the development of new markets. Among the means fostering innovation, collaborative research—a unique model in Quebec—maximizes synergies between research organizations (including universities and college centers for the transfer of technologies) and businesses in their research and development efforts.
The key themes of the RDV Forum, such as decarbonization and advanced air mobility, were at the heart of the discussions, emphasizing their pivotal role in the global development of the sector, where Quebec holds significant advantages. With most of its production destined for export, maintaining this enviable position requires a dynamic innovation ecosystem capable of developing new collaborations and talent.
The CRIAQ RDV Forum also fosters collaboration between the aerospace innovation ecosystem and those from other sectors, such as electrification, quantum and digital technologies, and advanced materials, reinforcing Quebec’s ambition to become a global hub for the development of advanced air mobility.
Citations
“The aerospace sector is one of Quebec’s great strengths, and that’s one of the reasons we supported the launch of the Espace Aéro innovation zone. Thanks to dynamic organizations like CRIAQ we can stimulate innovation, collaborative research, and synergies among industry players, and propel Quebec as a global leader in this sector.” — Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Energy, and Minister responsible for the Montreal Metropolitan Area
“In Quebec, we are fortunate to rely on an internationally renowned aerospace industry, supported by a dynamic and innovative ecosystem. Our government is proud to stimulate interest in this strategic sector, particularly among the next generation of women, and to support the talents who will design the aerospace of tomorrow.” — Christopher Skeete, Deputy Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for Combating Racism, and Minister responsible for the Laval region
“The RDV Forum once again demonstrated the strength of our aerospace innovation ecosystem. The strategic partnerships and initiatives announced illustrate our commitment to propelling the industry in a transforming, competitive environment. By bringing together sector experts to discuss challenges and opportunities, we strengthen Quebec’s position as a global leader in the development of advanced aeronautical technologies.” — Guillaume Côté, PhD, President and CEO, CRIAQ
“By joining forces with CRIAQ, we are opening the door to new opportunities to propel Quebec’s aerospace industry. The strategic partnership between Espace Aéro and CRIAQ will further embed collaborative research at the core of our innovation zone, thus accelerating the development of cutting-edge solutions that will strengthen Quebec’s position on the international aerospace stage.” — Mélanie Lussier, President and CEO of Aéro Montréal
“In these uncertain times, it is important to be able to count on collaboration among aerospace ecosystem partners to develop agreements that provide research capacity and drive innovation, with a long-term vision as much as possible. Aligned with our mission to support emerging researchers, particularly women in STEM, the agreement between FRQ and CRIAQ to co-finance excellence scholarships will support the sustainable and concrete development of the sector. I am also pleased to highlight the agreement with MEIE for the deployment of a research program in the Espace Aéro Innovation Zone, a true asset to propel aerospace even further.” — Rémi Quirion, O.C., C.Q., Ph.D., m.s.r.c., Chief Scientist of Quebec, President and CEO, Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ)
“To develop an industry with insight, one must clearly understand its challenges and opportunities and take informed action. CRIAQ and aerospace sector leaders, with the support of the Quebec Innovation Council, will be able to equip themselves and act to advance this highly strategic sector and maintain Quebec’s position internationally among the best nations in the world.” — Luc Sirois, Chief Innovator of Quebec, Quebec Innovation Council (CIQ)
“We want, in Quebec as well as across Canada, to collaborate with other innovation organizations to ensure optimal resource use to support the aerospace industry. Today is the perfect opportunity to begin this work with CRIAQ to better align our respective programs.” — Michel Dion, President and CEO of the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT)
About the RDV Forum
In response to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, the RDV Forum is the premier venue for creating and supporting interdisciplinary and intersectoral cooperation to accelerate developments focused on society’s needs for new products and services in air mobility. The event brings together professionals committed to establishing strategic partnerships and shaping a promising future for the aerospace industry through conferences, innovative project ideas, and networking sessions.
About CRIAQ (criaq.aero)
The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ) is a unique model of collaborative aerospace research involving companies of all sizes, universities, and research centers. Its mission is to increase the competitiveness of the aerospace industry by stimulating innovation in businesses through collaborative R&D. It also aims to develop a new generation of innovators to strengthen Quebec’s technological leadership in cutting-edge aerospace applications: digital aviation, future air mobility, and sustainable aerospace.
Source: Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ)
Information and Interviews: Stéphanie Dion, stephanie.dion@criaq.aero, (514) 825-5145
