Closed
Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions
Canadian robotics contest for defence solutions
Last Update: June 18, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000 - $ 1,500,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
IDEaS Robot Round-up is a Canadian defence and security contest for incorporated Canadian organizations, universities, and public bodies. It supports advanced robotics platforms and control solutions for CAF-relevant challenges, with cash prizes and follow-on contribution funding for selected winners.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 25,000 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
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
- Demonstration of advanced robotic platforms and control solutions for CAF-related high-risk tasks.
- Participation in the on-site robotics challenge after screening.
- Video demonstration of robot mobility, manipulation, and video streaming capability.
Documents Needed
- Applicant Form
- Video submission
- Additional information form for certain Quebec applicants
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian universities and educational institutions
- Incorporated Canadian not-for-profit organizations or associations
- Incorporated Canadian for-profit companies, organizations or associations
- Provincial, territorial, and municipal government organizations
Who is not eligible
- Federal crown corporations
- Provincial crown corporations
Eligible expenses
- For contribution agreements: direct and indirect costs that Canada considers reasonable and necessary to carry out the solution.
- Salaries, wages, and employer-paid benefits directly related to the solution.
- Equipment purchases or rentals, consultant services, laboratory analysis, materials and supplies, overhead, and travel.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- In-kind contributions.
- Land or building purchases, vehicle purchases or leases, and assets not specifically required for the solution.
- Insurance, interest and overdraft charges, credit card charges, and refundable taxes.
- Hospitality, alcohol, entertainment, gifts, lobbying, direct marketing, and one-on-one promotion activities.
- Patent fees, relocation costs, and other costs not specifically required for the solution.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Province of Quebec applicants may be subject to additional requirements
Processing and Agreement
- Proposals are screened by DND/CAF experts after submission.
- Eligible applicants receive a written email invitation to compete on-site and an instruction manual.
- Ineligible solutions receive a written email response.
- The Funding Committee reviews proposal packages and on-site results before making final decisions.
- Funding decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
Additional information
- Funding decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
- Successful applicants receive an on-site instruction manual.
- Key information about contribution agreements may be made public on the Department of National Defence website.
- Applicants should note that Quebec’s M-30 law may apply to certain municipal, school, or agency applicants located in Quebec.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions Program
What is the Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions?
IDEaS Robot Round-up is a Canadian defence and security contest for incorporated Canadian organizations, universities, and public bodies. It supports advanced robotics platforms and control solutions for CAF-relevant challenges, with cash prizes and follow-on contribution funding for selected winners.
How much funding can be received?
Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions Funds up to $1,500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions program?
To be eligible for the Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions program, you must:
Incorporated legal entity in Canada
Proposal package required
Quebec public bodies may need extra approvals
What expenses are eligible under Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions?
Demonstration of advanced robotic platforms and control solutions for CAF-related high-risk tasks.
Participation in the on-site robotics challenge after screening.
Video demonstration of robot mobility, manipulation, and video streaming capability.
Who can I contact for more information about the Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions?
You can contact Department of National Defence (DND) by email at IDEaSContests.IDEeSConcours@forces.gc.ca or by phone at 613-992-0996.
Where is the Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions available?
The Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions program is available across Canada.
Is the Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Robot Round-up: Advanced Robotics Platforms and Solutions is a Grant and Funding