IDEaS Test Drives
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
DND/CAF acquires and tests solutions at TRL 7+ in real military environments via procurement contracts. Selected companies receive payment and structured CAF feedback. Eligible for companies, non-profits, universities, and individuals — international organizations may also apply.
Eligibility Requirements
- Open to small and large companies, academia, non-profit organizations, and individuals
- International organizations and companies may also apply
- Innovation must have completed TRL 1–6 at time of submission (CAF conducts TRL 7+ real-world testing)
- Federal government employees, departments/agencies, and federal Crown Corporations are NOT eligible
- No matching requirement — DND/CAF purchases the solution directly
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Varies by project — contract value set per Call for Proposals on canadabuys.canada.ca
- Type
- Program
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Rolling — Test Drive Calls for Proposals posted periodically on canadabuys.canada.ca
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win IDEaS Test Drives — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 6-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-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 IDEaS Test Drives? 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 TipTest Drives are procurement contracts, not grants — DND/CAF literally buys your product for real-world testing. This means you need a commercially manufacturable solution, not just a prototype concept. Monitor canadabuys.canada.ca under the IDEaS Test Drives category and set up automated notifications. Each call has specific operational problem statements; tailor your submission directly to the military's stated operational need. Following the test, CAF provides detailed feedback on performance — even unsuccessful Test Drives generate valuable real-world validation data for commercial market entry.
Rejection Pitfalls 6
- Technology below TRL 6 at time of submission — solution must be proven before Test Drive can proceed
- Innovation does not address the specific operational gap stated in the Call for Proposals
- Applicant is a federal employee, Crown Corporation, or government department (categorically ineligible)
Success Profile
Companies with proven defence or dual-use technologies at TRL 6–7, typically with prior military or government testing experience. Technologies in counter-UAS, communications, surveillance, environmental monitoring, soldier systems, and cybersecurity are most frequently solicited. Companies with existing security clearances and the ability to support testing in military environments (base access, logistics) have a meaningful advantage.
Evaluation Criteria
Test Drive proposals are evaluated by DND/CAF subject-matter experts against the specific operational problem stated in the Call for Proposals. Key criteria: technical readiness (TRL evidence), operational relevance (how well the solution addresses the stated military need), testing support capability (can the company support military testing logistics), and IP ownership. There is no public scoring rubric — evaluation is qualitative and operationally driven.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 3
- Not applicable — Test Drives are procurement contracts, not cost-reimbursement grants
- DND/CAF pays the agreed contract price for the technology and associated testing support
- Costs of supporting testing operations (travel to military base, technical personnel) are typically included in the contract value
Ineligible Expenses 3
- R&D costs for developing the technology (this should be complete at TRL 6+ before applying)
- General business overhead not tied to the specific Test Drive contract
- Marketing or sales activities
Intake Periods
Rolling — individual Test Drive Calls for Proposals posted on canadabuys.canada.ca as DND/CAF operational needs arise. No fixed annual cycle or intake windows.
Deadline Notes
No fixed annual cycle. DND/CAF posts individual Test Drive Calls as operational needs arise. Monitor canadabuys.canada.ca and subscribe to IDEaS updates. Past calls have focused on counter-UAS, communications, surveillance, and environmental solutions.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Federal government employees
- Federal departments and agencies
- Federal Crown Corporations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
None RiskNone — procurement contract structure means no grant clawback provisions apply.
How IDEaS Test Drives Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about IDEaS Test Drives