Closed
Source verified May 28, 2026
Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative)
Funding for defence and security policy projects
Funding available
$ 50,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The program provides up to CAD 50,000 for defence and security policy projects. It supports conferences, workshops, roundtables, research, publications, and related activities aligned with MINDS Defence Policy Challenges.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop an online presence
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
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
- Conferences, workshops, and roundtables
- Research projects
- Publications
- Other defence and security projects aligned with MINDS policy priorities
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Project budget and funding breakdown
- Project overview or summary
- List of project participants or speakers
- Other funding sources, if applicable
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Universities
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Research institutions
- International applicants
- Undergraduate and master's students for the Young MINDS initiative
Who is not eligible
- Government of Canada employees, except CAF Class A Reservists
- Employees of Canadian Defence Academy institutions
- Government departments and agencies, including international government departments and agencies
Eligible expenses
- Research costs, including subscriptions, travel, and accommodation
- Conference and seminar costs, including room rental, audiovisual rental, interpretation, materials, travel, and accommodation
- Research assistant salaries and other non-administrative salary costs
- Publications, translation, advertising materials, and licensing fees
- Administrative and support salaries, including benefits
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Insurance, interest charges, and professional services, including audits
- Utilities, rent, amortization, office overhead, and institutional overhead
- Capital assets, honoraria, prizes, rewards, and alcohol
- Any expense outside the approved proposal
- Travel and hospitality for participating Government of Canada officials
Eligible geographic areas
- International applicants are eligible
Selection criteria
- Relevance to the MINDS Defence Policy Challenges, worth 60% of the total score.
- Diversity and GBA+ considerations, worth 20% of the total score.
- Innovation and creative use of technology, worth 20% of the total score.
How to apply
- Step 1
- Complete the correct MINDS application form.
- Follow the application guide while preparing the form.
- Step 2
- Prepare the project summary, budget, and supporting information.
- Include the required project details, participants, and funding sources.
- Step 3
- Submit the completed application electronically to MINDS@forces.gc.ca.
- Step 4
- If successful, sign and return the grant agreement within two weeks.
- Submit the final report within 60 days after project completion.
Processing and Agreement
- Applicants receive an acknowledgement email after submission.
- Applications are reviewed and scored, and grants are awarded on a top-down basis.
- Results are communicated by email.
- Successful applicants receive a grant agreement to sign and return within two weeks.
- Final reporting is required within 60 days after project completion.
Additional information
- Calls for proposals are issued twice a year.
- Successful and unsuccessful applicants may request a debrief within 30 days of the outcome.
- Funding recipients must provide written recognition of MINDS support in public materials.
- A free license must be granted for Government of Canada use of project outputs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative) Program
What is the Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative)?
The program provides up to CAD 50,000 for defence and security policy projects. It supports conferences, workshops, roundtables, research, publications, and related activities aligned with MINDS Defence Policy Challenges.
How much funding can be received?
Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative) Funds up to $50,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative) program?
To be eligible for the Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative) program, you must:
Project must address a MINDS Defence Policy Challenge.
Application must be complete and use the correct form.
Young applicants need accredited university enrollment and a sponsor.
What expenses are eligible under Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative)?
Conferences, workshops, and roundtables
Research projects
Publications
Other defence and security projects aligned with MINDS policy priorities
Who can I contact for more information about the Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative)?
You can contact Department of National Defence (DND) by email at MINDS@forces.gc.ca.
Where is the Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative) available?
The Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative) program is available across Canada.
Is the Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Targeted Engagement Grants Program (including Young MINDS Initiative) is a Partnering and Collaboration