Closed
Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects
Phased funding for defence and security innovation
Last Update: May 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 6,750,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
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.
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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 $
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
- Development of innovative solutions for defence and security challenges.
- Prototype development and validation at later stages.
- Testing and demonstration in operational or simulated environments.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individuals
- Academic institutions
- Non-profit organizations
- Provincial, territorial, and municipal government organizations
- Industry
Who is not eligible
- Federal crown corporations
- Provincial crown corporations
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
Frequently Asked Questions about the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (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?
Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects Funds up to $6,750,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects program?
To be eligible for the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (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 Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects?
Development of innovative solutions for defence and security challenges.
Prototype development and validation at later stages.
Testing and demonstration in operational or simulated environments.
Who can I contact for more information about the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (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 Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects available?
The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects program is available across Canada.
Is the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) — Competitive Projects is a Researchers And Facilities