IDEaS Defence Innovation Secure Hubs (DISH)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Up to $50 million over 2 years to establish secure, mission-oriented research hubs for defence-critical technologies. Two streams: quantum technologies and uncrewed systems. Hubs must achieve Level II (Secret) security clearance. Requires consortium of at least 2 eligible Canadian organizations.
Eligibility Requirements
- Consortium of 2+ eligible Canadian organizations
- For-profit companies, non-profits, universities, post-secondary institutions
- Facility must achieve Level II (Secret) security clearance
- Must operate in quantum technologies OR uncrewed systems stream
- Federal departments and Crown corporations NOT eligible
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $50,000,000 over 2 years
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Between intakes — first DISH CFP closed April 2, 2026; future calls TBD
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win DISH — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 5-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for DISH? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipStudy the Maritime DISH in Halifax ($29. 4M) as a template. Key: existing facility upgradeable to Secret clearance, genuine multidisciplinary diversity, and a clear defence capability gap. Admin costs capped at 15%.
Success Profile
Major university, defence prime, or national laboratory with existing facility capable of Secret clearance upgrade. Pre-existing DND relationships essential.
Evaluation Criteria
Merit-based review by DND/BOREALIS evaluators. Evaluators consider ONLY information in the proposal — they will not infer information or use personal knowledge. Key assessment areas: clear governance and partner alignment, secure facility readiness and compliance path to Level II (Secret) clearance, innovation-to-defence application pathway, technical expertise depth in quantum or uncrewed systems, demonstrable impact on Canada's defence sovereignty objectives, and multidisciplinary consortium composition.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 8
- Prototyping expenses including solution development, systems validation and integration, and testing and evaluation
- Data acquisition and analysis including datasets, testing environments, modelling tools, and analytical software
- Travel costs for research collaboration, DND/CAF stakeholder meetings, field testing, and technical reviews
- Technical and professional services directly tied to DISH objectives
- Materials and supplies for research and development activities
- Facility security clearance upgrade costs
- Research software, scientific journals, and information database access
- Equipment for hub operations within approved scope
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Salaries and benefits for researchers receiving direct and continuous salary through universities
- Purchase or lease of private/personal vehicles, vehicle maintenance, or rental charges
- Administrative and overhead costs exceeding 15% of total approved eligible costs
- General operating expenses not directly tied to DISH research objectives
- Construction of new facilities (hub must use existing or upgradeable facility)
Intake Periods
Call for Proposals opened February 18, 2026. Deadline April 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET. This is the first open DISH call following the Maritime DISH pilot. Future calls dependent on program evaluation and remaining BOREALIS budget ($68.2M over 3 years from 2025-26).
Deadline Notes
CFP opened February 18, 2026. Deadline: April 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET. First open DISH call following the Maritime DISH in Halifax ($29.4M).
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Federal government departments
- Crown corporations
- Single organizations applying without consortium partners
- Organizations unable to achieve Level II (Secret) facility security clearance
- Foreign-incorporated entities without Canadian incorporation
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow DISH Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDEaS Defence Innovation Secure Hubs ... | Up to $50,000,000 over 2 years | Hard | Advance Payment | Between intakes — first... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about DISH