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Source verified September 16, 2026
IDEaS - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security
Defence innovation support for Canadian solutions
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Latest source updateLast Update: October 13, 2026Latest change: The Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox page now shows new eligibility, application, scope, and support details, including a December 15, 2025 deadline.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 13, 2026
Latest change: The Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox page now shows new eligibility, application, scope, and support details, including a December 15, 2025 deadline.
CUAS Sandbox rules and application details updated
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.
Funding available
$ 6,750,000
Deadline
Unspecified
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.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
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
2
Validate your eligibility
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
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
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
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 - 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?
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
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