STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses

• Completed application form signed by authorized representative
• Team member resumes (max 2 pages each)
• Proof of incorporation or registration
• Letters of participation from partner organizations
• Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act form
• M-30 form (for Quebec organizations) or Bill-18 form (for Alberta organizations)

• Small for-profit or not-for-profit organizations with maximum 50 employees
• Organizations must be established and operating in Canada
• Academic institutions are excluded
• Projects must meet basic R&D definition for space technologies (TRL 1-6)

Who is eligible?

• Small for-profit organizations (up to 50 employees)
• Small not-for-profit organizations (up to 50 employees)
• Canadian companies in space technology sector

Who is not eligible

• Organizations with more than 50 employees
• Academic institutions (universities and colleges)
• Organizations not established in Canada
• CSA employees participating in application process

Eligible expenses

• Equipment acquisition or rental (max 20% of total eligible costs)
• Consultant services
• Data acquisition
• Laboratory analysis services
• Material and supplies
• Overhead costs (max 15% of eligible costs)
• Salaries and benefits
• Travel and accommodation expenses

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

• Companies based and operating in Canada

• Project Innovation (max 20 points) - novelty of technology being developed
• Project Implementation (max 30 points) - completeness and effectiveness of plan
• Market Assessment (max 10 points) - understanding of market needs
• Roadmap to Product Deployment (max 30 points) - post-project commercialization strategy
• Benefit to Applicant (max 5 points) - jobs created and growth potential
• Benefit to Canadian Space Sector (max 5 points) - socio-economic benefits

• Step 1: Registration
  • Register intent to submit by February 6, 2026 using the Registration Portal
  • Use format: STDP AO10.2_OrganizationName_ProjectName
  • Receive credentials within 3 business days
• Step 2: Prepare Documentation
  • Complete application form with all required sections
  • Gather supporting documents (resumes, proof of incorporation, letters)
  • Combine all documents into single PDF file
• Step 3: Submit Application
  • Upload documents via secured portal by March 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. (ET)
  • Ensure all documents are searchable PDF/A-1a format
  • Verify completion before deadline

• Application review timeline: 16 weeks after AO closing date
• Funding agreement sent within 4 weeks after approval
• Payment issued within 6 weeks of agreement fulfillment
• Eligible costs reimbursed only after funding agreement signed
• Recipients must keep project records for 6 years after project completion

• 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