Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS)

The IDEaS program, run by the Department of National Defence, supports the development of early-stage, pre-commercial technologies that could address real-world challenges faced by the Canadian Armed Forces. Through competitive calls for proposals, applicants can pitch their innovative military and defence-focused ideas and may receive federal procurement contracts to develop prototypes or advance their technology plans.

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Funding Amount

  • The IDEaS program has two funding stages:
    • Component 1a: Up to $200,000 for a project lasting up to 6 months.
    • Component 1b: Up to $1 million for a project lasting up to 12 months.
  • Projects selected for both components may receive a combined total of up to $1.2 million over 18 months.
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    Eligible Applicants

  • Open to all organization types.
  • Applicants must ensure that at least 50% of goods and services used in the project have Canadian content.
  • Federal public servants are not eligible to apply.
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    Eligible Activities

  • Projects must address challenges relevant to the Canadian Armed Forces.
  • Eligible activities include research, development, and demonstration of pre-commercial military technologies.
  • Projects with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 1 to 6 are preferred.
  • Activities must align with the specific requirements of each competitive call for proposals.
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    Deadline to Apply

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