How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $2500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the IDEaS — Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development?

IDEaS — Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development is funded by Government of Canada, Department of National Defence

What are IDEaS — Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a legal entity duly incorporated and validly existing in Canada. Eligible entities include Canadian universities, educational institutions, and incorporated Canadian for-profit or not-for-profit organizations. International applicants may be eligible if they are incorporated and validly existing in Canada.

IDEaS — Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Concept Development

grant_single|update January 24, 2025

Ottawa, ON

Get funding for your CUAS concept development solutions

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grant_single|openingDate February 1, 2024
grant_single|closingDate April 15, 2023

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Grant and Funding

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Professional, scientific and technical services

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Government of Canada
Department of National Defence

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Receive funding to advance your CUAS concepts that can detect and/or defeat micro and mini UAS with systems that can be integrated into broader military command and control systems. Get the opportunity to mature your CUAS development concepts to a Technol

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This grant supports the development and maturation of innovative Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) concepts capable of detecting and defeating Micro and Mini UAS, aiming for integration into broader military command and control systems.

Development of CUAS systems for static locations such as defending a Forward Operating Base or airfield.
Design and implementation of vehicle-mounted CUAS systems to protect mobile vehicle forces.
Creation of "Person Portable" CUAS solutions for defending dismounted personnel or VIP groups in isolated locations.
Development of CUAS technologies suitable for urban environments with complex electromagnetic landscapes.
Design of naval environment CUAS solutions to protect frigates both underway and at dock.
Innovation in passive and active detection methodologies to enhance UAS detection capabilities.
Conceptualization of "Soft-Kill" and "Hard-Kill" neutralization techniques for disabling or deterring UAS threats.
Integration of CUAS systems with existing military command and control frameworks such as Link 16, SAPIENT, or NATO ACCS.
Technological advancements for detecting and defeating UAS controlled by LTE/5G networks.
Research into tracking and defeating swarms of UAS through advanced sensor networks and interceptors.

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$ 850,000

Integration of CUAS capabilities with existing military command and control systems

$ 1,500,000

Development of a sensor network to detect and defeat Micro UAS in urban environments

$ 2,000,000

Creating a command center for monitoring and controlling CUAS operations

$ 1,600,000

Development of LTE/5G UAS detection capabilities

$ 2,000,000

Development of interceptor UAS for tracking and neutralizing mini UAS

$ 2,000,000

Research and development of hard-kill solutions for mini UAS

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Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's legal status and activity location.

The applicant must be a legal entity duly incorporated and validly existing in Canada, including Canadian universities, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit companies, or government organizations.
Individuals may apply if they meet the requirement of being legally incorporated and existing in Canada.
International applicants may be eligible if they establish a legal entity duly incorporated and validly existing in Canada.
Federal and provincial crown corporations are not eligible for funding.
No more than 50 percent of eligible costs under the Contribution Agreement can be incurred outside of Canada.

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Eligible recipients of funding under an IDEaS Contribution Agreement (CA) must be a legal entity duly incorporated and validly existing in Canada, which includes Canadian universities and educational institutions chartered in Canada, incorporated Canadian not-for-profit organizations or associations, incorporated Canadian for-profit companies, organizations, or associations, provincial/territorial, or municipal government organizations, and individuals. International applicants may also be eligible, provided they establish a legal entity duly incorporated and validly existing in Canada. Federal and provincial crown corporations are not eligible for funding.

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This grant has specific exclusions, primarily related to certain government-related entities. These restrictions ensure that funding is directed to viable entities capable of fulfilling the developmental objectives of the grant.

Federal and provincial crown corporations are not eligible for funding.

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The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the development and success of CUAS concepts.

Research and development costs for CUAS technologies.
Prototyping and testing expenses associated with CUAS solutions.
Personnel costs directly related to the project, including salaries and benefits.
Materials and equipment specifically needed for project implementation.
Travel expenses necessary for project execution, including attendance at related events or testing locations.
Consultant fees for technical expertise necessary for the project.

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This grant is available to companies that are legal entities duly incorporated and existing in Canada. The eligibility aims to support Canadian innovation and defence capabilities.

Companies and organizations incorporated in Canada.
Individual entities legally existent and operating within Canada.

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There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The summary of the criteria is as follows:

Critera 1: Relevance to CUAS challenge and military integration
Criteria 2: Innovation and leapfrogging existing prototypes
Criteria 3: Methodological differentiation for detecting and defeating UAS
Criteria 4: Ability to address multiple operational scenarios effectively
Criteria 5: Potential for integration into external command and control systems

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Review Applicant Guide

Carefully read the Applicant Guide for Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Concept Development.

Complete Required Forms

Download and complete the Concept Development Project Proposal Form.
Complete the Concept Development Solution Technical Description Form.
Fill out the Concept Development Budget and Eligible Expenditures Form. Contact IDEaSSandboxes-EnvironnementsprotegesIDEeS@forces.gc.ca to get a copy of this form if needed.
Create a Concept Development Proposal Overview in PowerPoint format.

Create an epost Connect account with Canada Post Corporation (CPC) if you do not have one.
If you do not have a Canadian mailing address, use the specified DND/CAF address for registration.

Request epost Connect Conversation

Send an email to DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca to request an epost Connect conversation at least five business days before the deadline.
The IDEaS program will initiate the epost Connect conversation, allowing for proposal submission.

Submit Proposal Using epost Connect

Upload the full application package in the epost conversation before the CFP closing date and time.
Receive a confirmation message and a file number once the application is submitted.
Ensure the proposal contains full contact information.
Proposals can be edited until the April 15, 2024 deadline at 2:00 PM EDT.

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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Successful applicants could potentially receive further funding of up to $2 million if their concepts are promising and successful after the initial funding period.
Project proposals should demonstrate capabilities that are a significant improvement over existing technologies or address capabilities not currently available.
Projects with integration into existing CAF command and control systems may have an increased chance of selection.
Applicants should consider emerging UAS capabilities and how their solutions can evolve to meet future threats.
Eligible applicants include legal entities incorporated and validly existing in Canada, with international applicants requiring a legal entity in Canada.