LEAP program features

Program overview

The Doctor of Engineering (DEng) in Leadership in Engineering Applications and Practice (LEAP) is Canada's first and only professional doctorate in engineering, grounded in the University of Victoria’s strength in industry-connected applied research and advanced research infrastructure.

Designed for experienced technical professionals who lead or aspire to lead at the highest level, LEAP integrates doctoral-level research directly into professional practice. Candidates pursue a defined research challenge within their own organizational or venture context, supported by academic advisors, industry mentors, and a dedicated UVic research team—while continuing to work full time.

Pathways

Applicants normally enter the program through one of two pathways:

• Intrapreneurial pathway — an employer sponsors and supports the research project within an established organization.

• Entrepreneurial pathway — the applicant plays a leading role in an existing or planned venture advancing the intended innovation or technology development.

Structure and Delivery

The DEng is designed for industry-embedded professionals and does not require continuous residency in Victoria. Program engagement takes place through three intensive workshop-style residencies each year. Each RP is integrated within a UVic research team and has access to laboratories as appropriate for their research project. 

Structured opportunities support interaction with industry leaders and peer exchange within the cohort.

This integrated model enables participants to embed doctoral-level research directly within their organizations, advance applied research, strengthen technical leadership capability, and deliver measurable impact while continuing to work full time.

Curriculum

The LEAP curriculum combines applied doctoral research with graduate coursework, supported by faculty advisors and industry mentors. Research Professionals complete five doctorate-level courses covering research design, sustainable innovation, leadership, risk management, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in engineering. Courses are delivered through seminars, intensive workshops, and expert-led sessions, built into the program's three annual residencies.

The Praxis: Research with Real Impact

The Praxis is the core research project of the DEng — the primary way participants drive innovation within their organizations. Carried out over three years, it goes beyond the scope of a typical project, enabling deep investigation, iterative development, and meaningful technical advancement.

Because the research happens inside real operational environments, the Praxis can directly produce new technical capabilities, improved system performance, and intellectual property. Outcomes may support commercialization, strengthen competitive positioning, or build organizational expertise in strategically important areas.

Research Professionals work closely with their industry sponsor and their UVic research team throughout, connecting academic expertise with real-world implementation. Participants can draw on UVic's laboratories, research infrastructure, and specialist knowledge to support testing, prototyping, and validation.

Year 1: Candidacy and Praxis Proposal

In Year 1, Research Professionals develop their research proposal, supported by two foundational courses and ongoing guidance from faculty advisors and industry experts. Once approved, they become doctoral candidates and move into the Praxis Implementation Stage. The Praxis can take the form of a traditional written thesis, or a portfolio of contributions such as prototypes, patents, simulations, or innovative designs.

Years 2 and 3: Praxis Implementation

Over the following two years, candidates carry out and test their research with support from their UVic research team and laboratory facilities, generating outcomes that create real organizational value.

Four courses run alongside this stage, covering sustainability, community-engaged leadership, risk management, and intellectual property, all directly relevant to the applied research underway.

Note: Course sequencing in Years 2 and 3 is subject to refinement.

Conferences

Three times a year, RPs come together for an intensive week-long residency either in Victoria or at select locations chosen for their regional industry strengths and sector expertise.

Residencies are designed to directly advance each participant's Praxis research. Through structured workshops, expert sessions, and collaborative dialogue, RPs refine their research approach, engage with faculty advisors, industry thought leaders, project-supporting research staff, and peers, and deepen their understanding of the technical landscape shaping their work.

Site visits and case studies give participants firsthand exposure to how complex engineering challenges are being addressed across different sectors and organizational environments, broadening perspective and informing their own research.

Residencies also build the professional relationships that carry through the program and beyond, creating a network of technical leaders that spans industries, regions, and disciplines.

Research and Innovation Ecosystem

The DEng is part of the University of Victoria's broader research and innovation ecosystem, aligned with UVic's Aspiration 2030 strategy, which emphasizes collaborative partnerships that translate research into real-world impact.

Praxis projects can draw on expertise from across the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science and the wider university, with access to interdisciplinary research strengths spanning multiple faculties. Many of UVic's faculty are internationally recognized in their fields. Through the DEng, that expertise is brought to bear on the applied challenges at the heart of each RPs research.

Applied doctoral research within the program often engages the themes shaping the future of engineering and technology, including sustainable infrastructure and resilient systems, advanced materials and next-generation manufacturing, clean energy and environmentally compatible technologies, and digital systems, data science, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Depending on the nature of the project, Research Professionals may also engage with specialized centres and facilities across campus, including the Centre for Aerospace Research (CFAR), Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET), Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Discovery (PRIMED), Advanced Control and Intelligent Systems Lab (ACIS), and the Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC).

The program works closely with UVic's Innovation and Partnerships team, helping organizations and Research Professionals explore pathways for research collaboration, intellectual property development, and commercialization.

Program Impact

An Innovation Partnership Between Organizations, Leaders, and the University

The DEng brings together experienced technical professionals, their organizations, and UVic's research ecosystem to tackle complex engineering challenges through applied doctoral research. Praxis projects are grounded in organizational priorities and follow a structured research process that helps reduce risk, while developing practical solutions that strengthen capability, improve competitiveness, and drive meaningful technical advancement.

For Organizations

Build Advanced Technical Capability Supporting a DEng participant is an investment in deep technical expertise within your own organization. This expertise is applied directly to its most complex challenges.

Generate Tangible Outcomes Praxis projects are aligned with organizational priorities and may produce improved processes, new technologies, cost efficiencies, or new products and services.

Develop Technical Leaders Participants grow their ability to lead complex initiatives, translate research into action, and drive innovation from within.

Access UVic's Research Ecosystem Engage faculty experts, research teams, and specialized facilities focused on high-impact applied research and development.

Retain Your Intellectual Property Organizations retain IP generated through the Praxis project, turning research outcomes into tangible organizational assets.

Build Strategic Research Relationships Connect to a broader innovation network and a growing community of technical leaders across sectors and industries.

For Candidates

Lead Innovation at the Highest Level Develop the skills and credentials to lead applied research and innovation initiatives that address complex, real-world engineering challenges.

Turn Research into Real Impact Apply advanced research methods to generate solutions with measurable outcomes for your organization, sector, or industry.

Work Across Industry and Academia Collaborate with faculty advisors, industry mentors, and research teams — bridging academic insight with practical implementation.

Build Your Network Connect with senior technical leaders, industry partners, and researchers across sectors through UVic's research and innovation ecosystem.

Graduate with a Portfolio of Impact Leave the program with a body of applied research that demonstrates your ability to lead innovation and deliver strategic value.

Advance Your Career Position yourself for senior technical leadership, innovation management, consulting, or entrepreneurial ventures.

Tuition & Funding

Tuition

The DEng is a professional doctorate with a unique delivery model that combines embedded industry research, a dedicated university research team, and doctoral-level academic supervision. Tuition reflects this, and full details are available in the UVic Graduate Academic Calendar.

Funding

Funding arrangements vary depending on the RPs background, organizational context, and proposed project. The program team works closely with applicants to identify suitable options and we encourage you to get in touch early as funding is one of the first things we will work through together.

Employer-supported funding

Many RPs are supported by their employer, who provides financial sponsorship alongside a workplace-relevant research project aligned with the organization's strategic priorities. Funding contributions may include:

• matching funds through programs such as Mitacs
• additional external funding through NSERC, SSHRC, and other research granting programs, depending on the nature of the project
• eligibility for SR&D tax credits on qualifying research contributions

Self-funded and mixed funding models

Research Professionals without full employer sponsorship may draw on a combination of:

• personal investment
• program scholarships or fellowships
• external grants through programs such as Mitacs, NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR
• entrepreneurial supports available through the UVic Innovation and Partnerships Office or UVic Innovation Centre
• eligibility for SR&D tax credits on qualifying research contributions

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property arising from DEng projects is handled in a way that reflects each RPs funding model and project context. In all cases, IP is retained either by the sponsoring organization or by the individual candidate, as appropriate. IP considerations are discussed during the pre-application process to ensure clear expectations and alignment before the program begins.

Learn more

Start the Conversation

If you or your organization are facing a complex engineering challenge or have an idea you'd like to explore further, we invite you to connect with our team.

Early conversations help identify potential research collaboration opportunities, alignment with UVic expertise, and possible pathways forward. Many Research Professionals and organizations come to us with an early-stage idea or an R&D challenge they want to explore. 

Contact the program team at leap_deng@uvic.ca or complete the Request for Information Form to begin the conversation. Admissions requirements, timelines, and FAQs are available on the Applications and FAQ page.