Developmental Licence Playbook
Canada
Access wireless spectrum to test a business idea
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 14, 2019
grant_single|financingType
Other Support
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
- Government of Canada
- Innovation Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Apply for a developmental licence that provides access to wireless spectrum to test and validate innovative solutions in health care, transportation, smart cities, manufacturing, agriculture, public safety and more.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is designed to support wireless innovators in Canada by providing temporary access to spectrum for testing new technologies and services. Eligible projects under this grant focus on advancing wireless communication capabilities across various applications.
- Testing of new technology or services using fixed and land mobile systems.
- Deployment of narrowband wireless communication systems and higher-powered towers/antennas.
- Development and testing of Internet of Things (IoT) applications and sensors using high band spectrum.
- Trials involving autonomous automobiles and smart city technologies.
- Exploration of dynamic spectrum access and augumented reality (AR) devices.
- Testing of satellite technology systems with fixed and mobile earth stations.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 350,000
Implementing wireless satellite technology in remote health care centers
$ 300,000
Developing a wireless communication system for smart transportation
$ 500,000
Establishing a wireless communication network for manufacturing
$ 250,000
Testing new land mobile wireless systems for public safety
$ 500,000
Testing an innovative smart city wireless network
$ 450,000
Creating a wireless network for smart agriculture
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To qualify for a developmental licence in Canada, applicants must meet several criteria related to the nature and purpose of their project.
- The project must relate to research and development.
- It must focus on advancing technology.
- The licence should be for a time-limited period.
- The project should not interfere with current or anticipated systems.
- The project must not be used for a commercial trial that involves financial cost recovery from users.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The developmental licences program is open to a wide range of applications as long as the project meets the criteria set by ISED. The key criteria for applicants include:- Projects must relate to research and development.- They should focus on advancing technology.- The testing should be time-limited.- The use of the spectrum should not interfere with current or anticipated systems.- The licences must not be used for commercial trials involving financial cost recovery from users.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The developmental licence program enables innovators to test new wireless technologies and services in Canada. Eligible projects focus on advancing technologies across different sectors without interfering with existing systems.
- Testing fixed and land mobile systems using narrowband technologies or higher-powered devices.
- Conducting trials for small cell, high-density devices such as Internet of Things and smart city technologies.
- Exploration of autonomous automobiles and augmented reality devices.
- Testing satellite technology systems with fixed and mobile earth stations.
- Conducting fundamental research that advances Canada's leadership in sectors like healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing.
- Validation of haptic technologies and dynamic spectrum access systems.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the developmental licences program focus on ensuring that proposed innovations align with advancing wireless technology and meet specific non-commercial criteria.
- Relevance to research and development activities aimed at advancing technology.
- Time-limited nature of the project proposal.
- Ensure no interference with current or anticipated wireless communication systems.
- Exclusion of commercial trials that involve financial cost recovery from users.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Complete Letter of Intent
- Access the Letter of Intent form on the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) website.
- Provide detailed information about your testing plan, including project objectives, timelines, and technical specifications.
- Step 2: Submit Letter of Intent
- Submit the completed Letter of Intent through the ISED website.
- Step 3: Assessment of Intent
- ISED will review your submitted Letter of Intent.
- ISED will communicate with you to ensure the issuance of a suitable licence for your testing activity.
- Step 4: Payment and Issuance of Licence
- Pay the associated fees for the licence, depending on the type of testing.
- Receive the developmental licence from ISED.
- Step 5: Conduct Testing
- Proceed with the testing activities under the conditions specified in the licence.
- Step 6: Renewal and Submission of Test Results
- Renew the licence if the conditions continue to be met and if needed.
- Optionally submit the results of your testing to ISED to help them evolve their technology framework.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Developmental licences can be renewed annually provided that the project continues to meet the qualifying criteria.
- No fees currently apply to developmental spectrum licences.
- Information about project objectives and technical details must be provided and will be treated confidentially.
- Innovators are encouraged to voluntarily submit final test results upon completing the trial.
