Open
Source verified July 23, 2026
IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development
CUAS concept funding for advanced drone countermeasures
Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ottawa, Canada
Overview
Funding of up to $500,000 is available for CUAS concept development over up to 9 months, with possible additional funding of up to $2 million. The program supports solutions that can detect and/or defeat micro and mini UAS and integrate with broader military command and control systems.
/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 : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ottawa
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of CUAS concepts to detect and/or defeat micro and mini UAS.
- Solutions designed to integrate with broader military command and control systems.
- Development toward a demonstration-ready solution.
Documents Needed
- Concept Development Project Proposal Form
- Concept Development Solution Technical Description Form
- Concept Development Budget and Eligible Expenditures Form
- Concept Development Proposal Overview
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian universities and educational institutions
- Canadian incorporated not-for-profit organizations or associations
- Canadian incorporated for-profit companies, organizations or associations
- Provincial, territorial, or municipal government organizations
- International applicants with a valid Canadian legal entity
Who is not eligible
- Federal crown corporations
- Provincial crown corporations
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Classified proposals.
Selection criteria
- Ability to address the CUAS challenge.
- Potential to integrate with external command and control systems.
- Projected performance beyond existing prototype capabilities.
- Relevance to key operational scenarios and technology areas.
- Canadian content is considered in evaluation.
How to apply
- Step 1: Read the Applicant Guide.
- Step 2: Complete the required proposal forms and overview document.
- Step 3: Create or use an epost Connect account.
- Step 4: Request an epost Connect conversation by email at least five business days before closing.
- Step 5: Upload the full proposal package through epost Connect before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Proposals are reviewed through a multi-stage process.
- DND/CAF may select one, multiple, or no proposals.
- Successful applicants are invited to sign a Contribution Agreement.
- Only selected projects move into Phase 1, with possible later transition to Phase 2.
Additional information
- Applicants may submit more than one proposal if each is standalone.
- Classified proposals will not be accepted.
- Foreign companies may apply if they meet the Canadian legal entity requirement.
- More than 50% of eligible costs cannot be incurred outside Canada.
Contacts
Availability timeline
2026
grant_availability|periodsCount
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Counter uncrewed aerial systems (urban) sandbox 2027Urban counter-drone testing opportunity
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions about the IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development Program
What is the IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development?
Funding of up to $500,000 is available for CUAS concept development over up to 9 months, with possible additional funding of up to $2 million. The program supports solutions that can detect and/or defeat micro and mini UAS and integrate with broader military command and control systems.
How much funding can be received?
IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development program?
To be eligible for the IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development program, you must:
Canadian legal entity
CUAS concept for micro or mini UAS
Higher TRL development
What expenses are eligible under IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development?
Development of CUAS concepts to detect and/or defeat micro and mini UAS.
Solutions designed to integrate with broader military command and control systems.
Development toward a demonstration-ready solution.
Who can I contact for more information about the IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development?
You can contact Department of National Defence (DND) by email at DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca.
Where is the IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development available?
The IDEaS - Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development program is available across Canada.