Closed
Source verified July 31, 2026
STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses
Space technology development support for small businesses
Funding available
$ 350,000
Deadline
March 13, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Small for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, up to a maximum of 50 employees
See full eligibility
Overview
STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses offers non-repayable contributions of up to $350,000 to small for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada. It supports basic R&D for space technologies through new concepts, consultant services, and data acquisition.
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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 : 350,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 50 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Technology development activities of the Canadian space sector
- Basic R&D of space technologies
- New concepts, products and/or know-how related to space technologies
- Any pre-commercial technology activities that are carried out to resolve unknowns regarding the feasibility of space concepts in the space sector
Documents Needed
- A completed original Application form signed by the duly authorized representative
- The résumés of each team member responsible for managing the project and key technical personnel
- Proof of incorporation or registration and a copy of the document(s) confirming the legal name of the applicant
- Letters from other organisations with a major participation in project execution, if applicable; letters of interest, demonstrating interest in the outcomes of the project, if applicable
- The Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act form signed by the duly authorized representative; M-30 Supporting Documentation form completed and signed by the duly authorized representative for organizations in Quebec; Bill-18 Supporting Documentation form completed and signed by the duly authorized representative for organizations in Alberta
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, up to a maximum of 50 employees
- Small not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, up to a maximum of 50 employees
Who is not eligible
- Academic institutions
Eligible expenses
- Acquisition or rental of equipment including software, not to exceed 20% of the total project eligible costs
- Consultant services; data acquisition; laboratory analysis services
- Material and supplies
- Overhead (administrative) costs, not to exceed 15% of project eligible costs; salaries and benefits, including benefits of up to 20% of the admissible salary
- Travel expenses including accommodation and related meal allowances; taxes for goods and services acquired in a foreign country net of any rebate or reimbursement received in the foreign country
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects targeting TRL higher than TRL-6
- Earth observation data processing solutions (eligible through smartEarth initiative)
- Space-related medical technologies
- Prospecting and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies
- Space-related food production technologies
- Space-related life support systems
- Technologies already funded by CSA through another contract or grant
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Project Strategy, 50% of the overall score, including Project Innovation and Project Implementation
- Post-Project Strategy, 50% of the overall score, including Market Assessment and Roadmap to product deployment
- Benefit to the applicant
- Benefit to Canadian Space Sector
- Overall minimum score of 60% and the minimum specified thresholds for each criterion; overall selection based on priorities such as geographic representation, gender representation, growth potential, product deployment opportunity, implication of HQPs and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students
How to apply
- Interested organizations must register their intent to submit an application by using the Registration Portal
- The registration request must be submitted no later than February 6, 2026
- The application process consists of two steps
- Step 1: Register the intent to submit with CSA
- Step 2: Submit the application by March 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Processing and Agreement
- Applicants will be notified in writing of decisions regarding their application, and selected applications will be announced on the CSA website
- The CSA's goal is to acknowledge receipt within five (5) business days of receiving the completed application package
- The CSA's goal is to respond to the proposal within sixteen (16) weeks of the AO's closing date and to send a contribution agreement for signature within four (4) weeks after formal approval of the proposal
- The CSA's goal is to issue payment within six (6) weeks of the successful fulfillment of the requirements outlined in the contribution agreement, and the recipient must keep proper records of all documentation related to the funded project for the duration of the project and for six (6) years after the completion date of the project, in the event of an audit; this documentation must be available upon request
Additional information
- Maximum two projects per recipient across all AO 10 categories combined
- Cumulative funding limit of $5M for same R&D project across multiple contributions
- Projects must begin by July 1, 2026
- Extensions available for projects demonstrating strong TRL progression potential
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses Program
What is the STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses?
STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses offers non-repayable contributions of up to $350,000 to small for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada. It supports basic R&D for space technologies through new concepts, consultant services, and data acquisition.
How much funding can be received?
STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $350,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses program?
To be eligible for the STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses program, you must:
Small for-profit or not-for-profit organizations with up to 50 employees
Organizations must be established and operating in Canada
Academic institutions are excluded
What expenses are eligible under STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses?
Technology development activities of the Canadian space sector
Basic R&D of space technologies
New concepts, products and/or know-how related to space technologies
Any pre-commercial technology activities that are carried out to resolve unknowns regarding the feasibility of space concepts in the space sector
Who can I contact for more information about the STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses?
You can contact Canadian Space Agency (CSA) by email at pdts-stdp@asc-csa.gc.ca or by phone at 450-926-4866.
Where is the STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses available?
The STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses program is available across Canada.
Is the STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses a grant, loan, or tax credit?
STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses is a Grant and Funding