Closed
Source verified July 10, 2026
STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses
Space R&D funding for small Canadian businesses
Funding available
$ 350,000
Deadline
March 13, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Canadian Space Agency’s STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses supports small for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada. It funds basic space technology R&D, including equipment, consultant services, data acquisition, laboratory analysis services, material and supplies, salaries and benefits, and travel expenses.
/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 : 350,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 50 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Basic R&D for space technologies (space application segment)
- Development of new concepts, products and/or know-how
- Technology readiness level progression from TRL-1 to TRL-6
- Industrial capability building in space technologies
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
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small for-profit organizations (up to 50 employees)
- Small not-for-profit organizations (up to 50 employees)
Who is not eligible
- Academic institutions
Eligible expenses
- equipment
- 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
Selection criteria
- Project Strategy, worth 50% of the overall score
- Post-Project Strategy, worth 50% of the overall score
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
- Selected applications will be announced on the CSA website
- The CSA aims to acknowledge receipt within five (5) business days of receiving the completed application package
- The CSA aims to respond to the proposal within sixteen (16) weeks of the AO's closing date
- The CSA aims to send a contribution agreement for signature within four (4) weeks after formal approval of the proposal
- The CSA aims to issue payment within six (6) weeks of the successful fulfillment of the requirements outlined in the contribution agreement
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?
The Canadian Space Agency’s STDP AO 10.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses supports small for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada. It funds basic space technology R&D, including equipment, consultant services, data acquisition, laboratory analysis services, material and supplies, salaries and benefits, and travel expenses.
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?
Basic R&D for space technologies (space application segment)
Development of new concepts, products and/or know-how
Technology readiness level progression from TRL-1 to TRL-6
Industrial capability building in space technologies
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