Closed
Last Update: June 15, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,750,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
IDEaS - Sandboxes supports innovative CUAS solutions to detect and/or defeat micro and mini UAS for DND and CAF operational needs. It funds travel-related costs, offers access to a fully equipped test environment, and provides opportunities for prize awards for selected solutions.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,750,000 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
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
- Testing and demonstration of CUAS prototypes
- Detection of micro and mini UAS
- Defeat of micro and mini UAS
- Integrated CUAS demonstrations in military test environments
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Test plan template
- Company and technology one-pager
- DND 552 spectrum form, if applicable
- Real video of the solution in operation
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individuals
- Academia
- Not-for-profit organizations
- 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, accommodation, and living expenses
- Shipping and transportation of equipment
- Pre-approved consumables used during demonstrations
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs not directly attributable to attending the Sandbox
- Internal preparation travel before the Sandbox
- Equipment damage or loss
- Expenses above the stated cost ceiling
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Suffield, Alberta
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission and ranked through a selection process.
- Selected applicants are notified by email approximately six to eight weeks after the call closes.
- Invited applicants must accept within five business days.
- After acceptance, pre-Sandbox preparations and final test planning take place.
- After the Sandbox, a written report is provided for each participant.
Additional information
- Unsolicited proposals are not accepted.
- Selected participants must complete pre-Sandbox preparations, shipping, and travel.
- Participants may be asked to respond to IDEaS surveys for up to two years after completion.
- Access to information and security screening apply to applicants and participants.
Contacts
Other components of this program
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Frequently Asked Questions about the IDEaS - Sandboxes Program
What is the IDEaS - Sandboxes?
IDEaS - Sandboxes supports innovative CUAS solutions to detect and/or defeat micro and mini UAS for DND and CAF operational needs. It funds travel-related costs, offers access to a fully equipped test environment, and provides opportunities for prize awards for selected solutions.
How much funding can be received?
IDEaS - Sandboxes Funds up to $1,750,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the IDEaS - Sandboxes program?
To be eligible for the IDEaS - Sandboxes program, you must:
TRL 5 or higher
Applicant owns IP
Aligns with CUAS challenge
What expenses are eligible under IDEaS - Sandboxes?
Testing and demonstration of CUAS prototypes
Detection of micro and mini UAS
Defeat of micro and mini UAS
Integrated CUAS demonstrations in military test environments
Who can I contact for more information about the IDEaS - Sandboxes?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at IDEaSSandboxes-EnvironnementsprotegesIDEeS@forces.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the IDEaS - Sandboxes available?
The IDEaS - Sandboxes program is available across Canada.
Who are the financial supporters of the IDEaS - Sandboxes?
IDEaS - Sandboxes is funded by Government of Canada