Open
Source verified August 29, 2026
Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027
Urban counter-drone testing opportunity
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Deadline
December 1, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Individuals, academia, not-for-profit organizations, and industry of any size
See full eligibility
Overview
Individuals, academia, not-for-profit organizations, industry, provincial, territorial and municipal organizations, and foreign companies may demonstrate micro and mini UAS detection solutions in downtown Ottawa, Ontario from July 26 to 30, 2027. Participants may receive up to $20,000 CDN for travel, accommodations and shipping costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Detect, track, and identify micro and mini uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in an urban environment
- Integrate solutions into broader command and control systems
- Radar-based, acoustic, radio frequency (RF) signal, and optical detection methods
Documents Needed
- Application and Participant Agreement for the Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) 2027 (Urban) Sandbox (DND 6069)
- Company and solution overview in PowerPoint format
- Test plan
- Application for Spectrum Supportability (DND 552), required if your solution emits radio frequency (RF) energy
- Photograph of your solution in its operational configuration and video demonstrating your solution in operation
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individuals, academia, not-for-profit organizations, and industry of any size
- Provincial, territorial, and municipal organizations
- Foreign companies
Who is not eligible
- Federal government departments and agencies
- Federal Crown corporations
Eligible expenses
- Travel, accommodations, living, shipping and consumables
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Demonstrating defeating target drones in an urban environment
Eligible geographic areas
- Downtown Ottawa, Ontario
Selection criteria
- Scored questions in the Application and Participant Agreement are clearly marked, and the evaluation method, total score calculations, and technical weighting factors are provided in the form
- A solution that does not achieve a Pass on all mandatory criteria in Section 1 will not proceed further in the evaluation process
- Qualified applications are then considered against the standardized IDEaS Strategic Selection Parameters
- Selection parameters include alignment with priorities, alignment with RCMP/DND/CAF, operational investment, distinction of solution, strength and risk of application, impact, type of solution, and industrial and socio-economic benefits to Canada
- There is no minimum overall score required
How to apply
- Register for a DIP account
- After you submit your registration request, wait for the email confirming that your request is under review and then for your login credentials by email once approved
- Log in to the Defence Innovation Portal (DIP) and select the challenge from the Featured Opportunities list
- Click Apply Now and begin drafting a proposal in response to the challenge
- To submit a replacement proposal, select the challenge, click Apply Now, choose Replacement Submission, and enter the reference number of the proposal being replaced
- Submit your application through DIP before December 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT
Processing and Agreement
- After submitting the application and required documents through DIP, send your submission details so receipt can be verified and the package confirmed complete
- You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been received and downloaded by the IDEaS Sandbox Team
- Applicants will receive evaluation results and selection status by email approximately four to eight weeks after the Call for Applications closes
- Selected applicants will have five business days to accept their invitation to participate in the Sandbox
- If a selected applicant declines, withdraws, or becomes unable to participate, DND/CAF may offer the space to another qualified applicant subject to the same selection process and enough time remaining before the Sandbox begins
Additional information
- Participants retain full ownership and control of the solution being demonstrated and its intellectual property
- A formal security clearance may be required, and participants will always be under appropriate escort while on DND/CAF property
- Access to the Sandbox test site may impose physical, communication and electronic restrictions
Availability timeline
2026
grant_availability|periodsCount
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- IDEaS - Autonomous Systems for Defence and Security: Trust and Barriers to AdoptionFunding for defence autonomy research and adoption
- IDEaS - Best of both worlds: Human autonomy teaming for effective decision makingFunding for trusted human-autonomy teaming solutions
- IDEaS - Better than Meets the Eye: Reliable Object Detection Amongst the WavesMaritime object detection innovation challenge
- IDEaS - Beyond GPS: Quantum solutions for next generation multistatic radar systemsQuantum solutions for synchronized radar systems
- IDEaS - Challenge: Understanding cyber intentFunding for cyber threat detection innovations
- IDEaS - Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Hazard Detection and PlanningInnovative CBR threat detection solutions
- IDEaS - Code meets combat: Architecting the future of electromagnetic spectrum superiorityCounter-UAS solutions for military integration
- IDEaS - Collaboration of Robotic SystemsSupport for advanced robotic control solutions
- IDEaS - Competitive ProjectsPhased funding for defence and security innovation
- IDEaS - Competitive Projects — Reliable AI sensor fusion for real world missionsPhased funding for AI compliance in sensor fusion
Frequently Asked Questions about the Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027 Program
What is the Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027?
Individuals, academia, not-for-profit organizations, industry, provincial, territorial and municipal organizations, and foreign companies may demonstrate micro and mini UAS detection solutions in downtown Ottawa, Ontario from July 26 to 30, 2027. Participants may receive up to $20,000 CDN for travel, accommodations and shipping costs.
How much funding can be received?
Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027 Funds up to $1,000,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is December 1, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027 program?
To be eligible for the Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027 program, you must:
The solution must have completed TRL 5, or TRL 4 with a reasonable plan to achieve TRL 5 prior to March 10, 2027.
If the solution will advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area, the company must not be affiliated with, or receive funding or in-kind support from, any Named Research Organization.
Companies that have previously applied to, participated in, or been invited to DND/CAF CUAS activities remain eligible to apply.
What expenses are eligible under Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027?
Detect, track, and identify micro and mini uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in an urban environment
Integrate solutions into broader command and control systems
Radar-based, acoustic, radio frequency (RF) signal, and optical detection methods
Where is the Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027 available?
The Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027 program is available across Canada.
Is the Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027 a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027 is a Other Support