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MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction
MINERVA Phase 2 prototype contracts for uncrewed aircraft system deconfliction. Proposals close November 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern under CanadaBuys Amendment 003.
Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
November 18, 2026
Opened September 23, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
For-profit businesses incorporated in Canada, federally or provincially, with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
See full eligibility
Overview
The MINERVA Initiative – Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction offers incorporated, for-profit Canadian small and medium-sized businesses up to $500,000 to develop software for safer, real-time coordination of uncrewed aircraft system traffic. Phase 2 work includes flight planning, conflict detection, and deconflicted route generation.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 499 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 3
Activities funded
- Develop a Windows-based software solution that provides an airspace common operating picture for planning, deconflicting, and controlling uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) traffic, including radio frequency spectrum use.
- Create and store flight plans, including radio frequency requirements, and maintain a repository of accepted plans’ 4D trajectories and spectrum requirements.
- Integrate supplemental data services such as crewed aircraft flight plans and weather, and generate optimal 4D UAS flight paths based on mission goals and physical limits.
- Check flight requests against existing plans, airspace constraints, and radio frequency spectrum requests to detect and resolve conflicts, and generate deconflicted airspace blocks.
- Analyze real-time UAS data to prevent collisions and adjust flight paths, and check whether UAS are following pre-approved, deconflicted trajectories.
Documents Needed
- An optional attachment identifying critical components (radio, ground control station (GCS), on-board computer, and any software) and providing the requested OEM, software development, product, model/version, URL, and country-of-origin information.
Sources and recorded changes
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit businesses incorporated in Canada, federally or provincially, with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
Eligible geographic areas
- Research and development activities must take place in Canada.
- At least 50% of annual wages, salaries and fees must be paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada.
- At least 50% of FTE employees must have Canada as their ordinary place of work.
- At least 50% of senior executives (Vice President and above) must have Canada as their principal residence.
Selection criteria
- Mandatory pass/fail criteria assess whether the proposal is in scope and addresses all Essential Outcomes, demonstrates a current technology readiness level (TRL) of 5 to 9 inclusive with feasibility evidence, and meets at least one Innovative Solutions Canada definition of innovation.
- Advance on the state of the art is scored at 0, 5, 12, or 20 points based on demonstrated improvements and competitive advantages.
- Additional Outcomes are scored at 0, 3, 6, or 10 points; science and technology risks and project risks are each scored at 0, 5, or 10 points.
- The Phase 2 project plan and implementation team are each scored at 0, 10, or 20 points; financial controls and commercialization strategy are each scored at 0, 5, or 10 points.
- Inclusivity is scored at 0, 10, or 20 points, with registered Indigenous businesses receiving the maximum score for that criterion. Proposals must achieve at least 65 of 130 possible points (50%) to be deemed responsive.
How to apply
- Submit a solution proposal through the challenge’s online proposal portal.
- Check the controlling CanadaBuys tender and Amendment 003 for Phase 2 submission instructions and the November 18 cutoff.
Processing and Agreement
- Canada will make final decisions on the number of Phase 2 awards based on factors such as evaluation results, departmental priorities, and availability of funds.
- The Government of Canada reserves the right to make partial awards and to negotiate project scope changes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction Program
What is the MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction?
The MINERVA Initiative – Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction offers incorporated, for-profit Canadian small and medium-sized businesses up to $500,000 to develop software for safer, real-time coordination of uncrewed aircraft system traffic. Phase 2 work includes flight planning, conflict detection, and deconflicted route generation.
How much funding can be received?
MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction Funds up to $500,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is November 18, 2026. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction program?
To be eligible for the MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction program, you must:
The applicant must be a for-profit business incorporated in Canada, federally or provincially, with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
The business’s research and development activities must take place in Canada.
At least 50% of its annual wages, salaries and fees must be paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada; at least 50% of its FTE employees must have Canada as their ordinary place of work; and at least 50% of its senior executives (Vice President and above) must have Canada as their principal residence.
Who can I contact for more information about the MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction?
You can contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Where is the MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction available?
The MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction program is available across Canada.
Is the MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction a grant, loan, or tax credit?
MINERVA Initiative — Uncrewed Aircraft System Deconfliction is a Other Support