Closed
Continental Defense and Security Technologies
Operational testing for defence innovations
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 2,300,000
Timeline
- Open Date : January 21, 2025
- Closing date : February 11, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
This program supports late-stage pre-commercial prototypes for operational testing in Canada’s defence and security context, with a military component of CAD 2.3 million. Eligible innovations include autonomy, quantum, sensing, communication, and cooperation solutions that can be tested in real-life settings.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
- Strengthen cybersecurity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,300,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : January 21, 2025
- Closing date : February 11, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Testing and evaluation of late-stage pre-commercial prototypes in real operational environments.
- Development and testing of autonomy solutions for navigation, perception, communication, and cooperation.
- Development and testing of quantum sensing and quantum communication technologies.
Documents Needed
- Proposal submission form
- Technical description of the proposed innovation
- Evidence of operational readiness and prototype status
- Risk, certification, licence, and approval information
- Intellectual property ownership or licensing information
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian businesses and entities.
- Canadian SMEs eligible for the commercialization pathway.
- Offerors with late-stage pre-commercial prototypes.
Who is not eligible
- Businesses without a Canadian place of business.
- Offerors whose innovation has already been sold commercially.
- Offerors whose innovation has already been conditionally qualified under prior programs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed against mandatory criteria and technical screening criteria.
- Qualified proposals are assessed against scored evaluation criteria.
- Successful offerors may be placed in a pool of conditionally qualified innovations.
- For commercialization, eligible SMEs may apply within 12 months after the initial testing contract ends.
Additional information
- Only one offer may be submitted under this solicitation.
- Eligible innovations may later enter a Pathway to Commercialization for up to three years.
- If selected for the commercialization pathway, the same innovation must be sold as in the initial testing contract.
- Participation in the commercialization pathway ends eligibility for additional testing under this stream.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Continental Defense and Security Technologies Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Continental Defense and Security Technologies. 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 Continental Defense and Security Technologies?
This program supports late-stage pre-commercial prototypes for operational testing in Canada’s defence and security context, with a military component of CAD 2.3 million. Eligible innovations include autonomy, quantum, sensing, communication, and cooperation solutions that can be tested in real-life settings.
How much funding can be received?
Continental Defense and Security Technologies Funds up to $2,300,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was February 11, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Continental Defense and Security Technologies program?
To be eligible for the Continental Defense and Security Technologies program, you must:
Canadian offeror with a place of business in Canada.
Pre-commercial prototype ready for operational testing.
At least 80% Canadian content.
What expenses are eligible under Continental Defense and Security Technologies?
Testing and evaluation of late-stage pre-commercial prototypes in real operational environments.
Development and testing of autonomy solutions for navigation, perception, communication, and cooperation.
Development and testing of quantum sensing and quantum communication technologies.
Who can I contact for more information about the Continental Defense and Security Technologies?
You can contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) by email at TPSGC.PASICVoletessai-APISCTestingStream.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Continental Defense and Security Technologies available?
The Continental Defense and Security Technologies program is available across Canada.