Science Framework for the Future

The Science Framework for the Future guides DFO Science as it adapts to emerging priorities while maintaining the robustness of the DFO Science Program. The Framework establishes a common vision for DFO Science and provides the strategic context for a variety of key elements that support science renewal across the Department. It also ensures alignment with our federal partners under the Federal Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy: Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage.

The Ecosystem Science Framework in support of Integrated Management provides the rationale for an ecosystem science approach while A Five-Year Research Agenda supports integrated management objectives and identifies current and emerging priorities.

A DFO Science Collaboration Framework was developed to ensure transparency in our collaborations and to complement the Strategic Science Outreach Strategy which seeks to raise awareness of our priorities and research interests among DFO stakeholders, including other federal and provincial / territorial S&T performers in Canada.

In an effort to ensure continued scientific and technical excellence at DFO, a National Human Resource Strategy was developed. Its focus is on recruiting and retaining a highly skilled workforce for the Science Sector. An At-Sea Science Strategy was also developed to identify long-term science vessel requirements and a Scientific Equipment Strategy was developed to ensure that the Science Sector will continue to have access on a sustained and long-term basis to essential scientific equipment.

Finally, the Science Framework for the Future improves our ability to conduct effective strategic and operational planning and reporting. An Integrated Science Risk and Performance Management Framework was developed to ensure that we continually monitor the success of the DFO Science Program. This, in turn, will improve the Science Sector's contribution to key reports including, DFO's Departmental Performance Reports.