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IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security - Canada
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IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security

Defence innovation support for Canadian solutions
Offered by
Department of National Defence (DND)
Official source: canada.ca

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Funding available
$ 6,750,000
Location
Canada
Who can apply

Canadian universities and educational institutions chartered in Canada

See full eligibility

Overview

IDEaS – Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security supports Canadian innovators working on defence and security challenges. The program advances ideas from early development through real-world testing across contests, competitive projects, innovation networks, sandboxes, and test drives.
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At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 6,750,000 $
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • 2SLGBTQI+

Next Steps

1
Determine your project

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Activities funded

  • Quantum technologies
  • Autonomous technologies
  • Counter uncrewed aerial systems (CUAS)
  • Arctic mobility and navigation of military platforms, including ships, land vehicles, and aircraft
  • Scalable, energy-efficient and sustainable power and energy solutions for current and future Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) arctic requirements

Documents Needed

  • Proposal form
  • Applicant guide
  • Company one-pager
  • Test plan template

Sources and recorded changes

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A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.

CUAS Sandbox rules and application details updated

The Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox page now shows new eligibility, application, scope, and support details, including a December 15, 2025 deadline.

The Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox page now adds applicant rules, including eligibility for individuals, academia, not-for-profits, industry, and provincial, territorial, and municipal organizations, while excluding federal departments/agencies and federal Crown corporations; it also states that foreign companies can apply and that solutions must be TRL 5 or higher. The application instructions now require the Applicant Guide, Application Form, Test Plan template, DND Form 552 if RF energy is emitted, a company and technology one-pager, and submission through a PriviDox account by 2:00 p.m. ET on December 15, 2025. The page also expands the challenge description with new CUAS scenarios, methods, and selection areas of interest, and adds grant-specific contact instructions by email for requesting a PriviDox account.

Official page

Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security

Program guide

Advanced Materials for Defence & Security: Seeking Innovation in Detection Avoidance and Physical Protection

Applicant Guide for the Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Sandbox 2026

application guide minefield breaching detect and destroy (2026)

Application form

Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) 2027 (Urban) Test Plan Template

Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Sandbox2026 Test Plan template

Cuas 2022 Test Plan Template E

CUAS 2026 Test Plan

DND 4807-E - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEa S) Innovation Networks Proposal Form

Supporting document

CUAS Test Plan Template

dnd 552 instructions how to fill formbil

Other relevant PDF

Idea S Sandbox

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Canadian universities and educational institutions chartered in Canada
  • Incorporated Canadian not-for-profit organizations or associations
  • Incorporated Canadian for-profit companies, organizations or associations
  • Canadian provincial, territorial, or municipal government organizations

Who is not eligible

  • Federal and provincial crown corporations are not eligible for funding.

Eligible expenses

There are eligible expenses for the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program:

  • Research and development costs
  • Prototyping and testing expenses
  • Technology demonstration costs
  • Networking and collaboration expenses
  • Travel costs related to project implementation

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Selection criteria

  • Proposals must be selected for the next round of the contest to proceed.
  • For Round 2, innovators are invited to Round 3 of the Contest: Prototype development.

How to apply

  • IDEaS is transitioning to a new Portal to receive submissions from the innovator community for this challenge.
  • To apply, consult the Solicitation Guide available on CanadaBuys.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are reviewed against the challenge or contest requirements.
  • Some programs use a stage-gated evaluation and selection process.
  • Successful applicants may be invited to later rounds, demonstrations, or pitch events.
  • Funding agreements are issued before financial support is provided.

Additional information

  • IDEaS is designed to improve DND’s access to the creative potential of Canadian innovators.
  • The program aims to create economic impact and build an innovation ecosystem for national defence.
  • It supports solutions from the early stages of an idea to final testing in a real-world environment.

Contacts

DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca
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Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security Program

What is the IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security?

IDEaS – Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security supports Canadian innovators working on defence and security challenges. The program advances ideas from early development through real-world testing across contests, competitive projects, innovation networks, sandboxes, and test drives.

How much funding can be received?

IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security Funds up to $6,750,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program?

To be eligible for the IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program, you must: Individuals, academia, not-for-profit organizations, provincial/territorial or municipal government organizations, and all industry can apply.

What expenses are eligible under IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security?

There are eligible expenses for the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program: Research and development costs Prototyping and testing expenses Technology demonstration costs Networking and collaboration expenses Travel costs related to project implementation

Who can I contact for more information about the IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security?

You can contact Department of National Defence (DND) by email at DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca.

Where is the IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security available?

The IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program is available across Canada.

Is the IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security a grant, loan, or tax credit?

IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security is a Grant and Funding