STDP AO 10.3 Space R&D – Next wave of technologies

• Completed and signed application form
• Team member résumés (max 2 pages each)
• Proof of incorporation or registration
• Letters from major project participants
• Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act form

• Applicant must be a for-profit or not-for-profit organization established and operating in Canada
• Academic institutions are not eligible
• Project must be basic R&D of space technologies (space application segment)
• Project must aim to achieve TRL 3 or 4 at project end
• Project must generate economic benefits within 5-10 years

Who is eligible?

• For-profit organizations established and operating in Canada
• Not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada
• Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the space sector
• Companies targeting space technology development

Who is not eligible

• Academic institutions
• Current CSA employees (cannot participate in any way)
• Organizations submitting multiple applications for the same project
• Projects already funded by another CSA contract, contribution, or grant

Eligible expenses

• Acquisition or rental of equipment including software (max 20% of project costs)
• Consultant services
• Data acquisition
• Laboratory analysis services
• Salaries and benefits (real salary rates with benefits up to 20% of salary)
• Travel expenses including accommodation and meals
• Material and supplies
• Overhead costs (max 15% of project eligible costs)

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• 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, contribution, or grant
• Projects targeting TRL higher than TRL-6

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies based and operating in Canada

• Project Innovation (max 20 points): Novelty and innovation of the proposed technology
• Project Implementation (max 30 points): Completeness and effectiveness of implementation plan
• Market Assessment (max 10 points): Understanding of market needs for the technology
• Roadmap to Product Deployment (max 30 points): Post-project development plan
• Benefit to Applicant (max 5 points): Impact on company growth and jobs
• Benefit to Canadian Space Sector (max 5 points): Socio-economic benefits to Canada

• Step 1: Register Intent
  • Register via CSA Registration Portal by February 6, 2026
  • Use formatting: STDP AO10.3_NameOfOrganization_ShortProjectName
  • Receive confirmation email with credentials within 3 business days
• Step 2: Prepare Application
  • Complete all sections of application form
  • Gather required documents (application form, résumés, proof of incorporation, letters, declarations)
  • Combine into single PDF (PDF/A-1a format preferred)
• Step 3: Submit Application
  • Upload documents to secure portal using credentials by March 13, 2026, 1:00 p.m. (ET)
  • Ensure complete submission before deadline

• Acknowledgment of receipt within 5 business days of application submission
• Funding decision within 16 weeks of AO closing date
• Contribution agreement sent for signature within 4 weeks after formal approval
• Payment issued within 6 weeks after fulfilling agreement requirements
• Recipients must keep project records for 6 years after project completion

• Projects must target Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or 4 by project end, with product deployment expected in 5-10 years.
• CSA encourages equity, diversity and inclusion plans and Indigenous participation plans as optional attachments.
• Extension requests are possible for projects demonstrating strong TRL progression potential, up to an additional $500,000.
• Total government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal) cannot exceed 75% of total eligible project costs.