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Source verified June 10, 2026
IDEaS - Competitive Projects
Phased funding for defence and security innovation
Latest source updateLast Update: June 14, 2026Latest change: The Competitive Projects page now shows a new funding summary and recipient summary, including Phase 1 up to $200,000 and Phase 2 up to $1,000,000.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 14, 2026
Latest change: The Competitive Projects page now shows a new funding summary and recipient summary, including Phase 1 up to $200,000 and Phase 2 up to $1,000,000.
Competitive Projects content updated
The Competitive Projects page now prominently shows a funding summary with Phase 1 up to $200,000 for the first six months and Phase 2 up to $1,000,000 for one year, alongside a text version of the program graphic. It also now states that eligible recipients are everyone except government employees and Crown corporations, and that the solution readiness level is 1-6. The page still describes Competitive Projects as phased development funding, but the new presentation narrows the visible summary to the first two phases and changes the way the program is explained at the top of the page.
Funding available
$ 6,750,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
IDEaS Competitive Projects provides phased funding of up to $6.75 million to advance technologies for defence and security challenges. It supports solutions from early concept to prototype development, testing, and validation across Technology Readiness Levels 1 to 9.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 6,750,000 $
Funds Providers
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
- Project proposals that address science and technology challenges through regular calls for proposals.
- Phased solution development under contracts and contribution agreements.
- Progressive development through milestones for quick implementation and possible early termination.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individuals
- Academic institutions
- Non-profit organizations
- Provincial, territorial, and municipal government organizations
- Industry
Who is not eligible
- Government employees.
- Crown corporations.
Selection criteria
- Projects must address a specific DND/CAF challenge.
- Solutions are assessed against the criteria of the challenge and funding element.
- Innovative solutions that can advance through TRL stages are preferred.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the call for proposals
- Check the challenge-specific requirements and eligibility details.
- Consult the relevant solicitation or proposal document.
- Step 2: Prepare your submission
- Develop your solution proposal based on the selected challenge.
- Follow the instructions provided in the call for proposals.
- Step 3: Submit through the designated portal
- Use the IDEaS web-based application process for the challenge.
- Submit your proposal through the portal indicated in the call.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first reviewed by subject matter experts.
- Proposals are assessed during the funding period and at the end of each component.
- Applicants are notified if their proposal is considered for funding.
- Some solutions may move to another IDEaS funding element or be showcased to the defence and security community.
Additional information
- All intellectual property generated under the program remains with the recipient.
- The Crown receives a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use the resulting IP.
- The program can support both technical and non-technical solutions when relevant to the challenge.
- Applicants should consult the specific call for proposals for challenge-specific requirements.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- 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 superiorityResearch funding for 5G defence capabilities
- IDEaS - Collaboration of Robotic SystemsSupport for advanced robotic control solutions
- IDEaS - Competitive Projects — Reliable AI sensor fusion for real world missionsPhased funding for AI compliance in sensor fusion
- IDEaS - Competitive Projects — Scrubbing your scrubs: Finding ways to re-use COVID-19 protective gearSupports reusable PPE innovation
Frequently Asked Questions about the IDEaS - Competitive Projects Program
What is the IDEaS - Competitive Projects?
IDEaS Competitive Projects provides phased funding of up to $6.75 million to advance technologies for defence and security challenges. It supports solutions from early concept to prototype development, testing, and validation across Technology Readiness Levels 1 to 9.
How much funding can be received?
IDEaS - Competitive Projects Funds up to $6,750,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the IDEaS - Competitive Projects program?
To be eligible for the IDEaS - Competitive Projects program, you must:
Open to individuals, academia, non-profits, government organizations, and industry.
Challenge-specific requirements apply.
Technical and non-technical solutions may be eligible.
What expenses are eligible under IDEaS - Competitive Projects?
Project proposals that address science and technology challenges through regular calls for proposals.
Phased solution development under contracts and contribution agreements.
Progressive development through milestones for quick implementation and possible early termination.
Who can I contact for more information about the IDEaS - Competitive Projects?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the IDEaS - Competitive Projects available?
The IDEaS - Competitive Projects program is available across Canada.
Is the IDEaS - Competitive Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?
IDEaS - Competitive Projects is a Researchers And Facilities