Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Provides funding for innovative solutions to defence and security challenges through competitive calls (IDEaS program includes contests, contracts, and sandboxes).
Eligibility Requirements
- Canadian entity — company, university, or individual — addressing an active IDEaS challenge posted by the Department of National Defence
- Must meet a minimum 50% Canadian content requirement for the proposed solution
- Not a federal public servant or federal government department (employees may participate in personal capacity in some streams)
- Not subject to unresolved Canadian sanctions or controlled goods restrictions
- Innovation addresses a specific defence or security challenge posted in the current IDEaS call
- Technology is at an early stage (TRL 1-5 typical for contest streams)
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $1.5M (Competitive Projects); full pipeline up to $6.75M across 5 components
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipIDEaS is challenge-driven -- you cannot submit unsolicited proposals. The key to success is monitoring PriviDox for new challenges that match your existing capabilities, not building something from scratch. The program evaluation found that commercialization is a weak spot, so proposals that articulate a clear path from prototype to operational deployment stand out. With the new Defence Industrial Strategy (Feb 2026) and DISH initiative, quantum technologies and uncrewed systems are the hot areas receiving outsized investment ($50M+ for DISH alone). The IDEaS Marketplace events (annual, Ottawa) are valuable for networking with DND stakeholders and understanding upcoming challenge themes. Component 1a ($250K, 6 months) is the best entry point -- low risk for DND, allows you to prove your concept before seeking larger Component 1b/2 funding.
See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it. Unlock with Premium →
Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Proposal does not directly address the specific posted challenge
- Technology is at wrong TRL for the component applied to
- Insufficient Canadian content (below 50% threshold)
See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours. Unlock with Premium →
Success Profile
Ideal applicant is a Canadian SME or university research group with existing defence/security domain expertise and technology at TRL 1-5. Strong track record in the specific challenge area (cyber, autonomous systems, C4ISR, counter-UAS, quantum, maritime surveillance). Companies with dual-use technology (civilian + military applications) are well-positioned. Must be able to demonstrate 50% Canadian content. Teams that have attended IDEaS Marketplace or Sandbox events have better situational awareness of DND needs. Academic-industry partnerships are particularly effective for Innovation Networks element.
See what successful applicants for this program actually look like. Unlock with Premium →
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals are assessed on five criteria: (1) Relevance to the specific defence/security challenge posted, (2) Innovation and technical merit including novelty and TRL advancement, (3) Impact and benefits to DND/CAF operations, (4) Feasibility and implementation plan including timeline and risk mitigation, (5) Team qualifications and partnership strength. Each CFP may weight criteria differently. Minimum 50% Canadian content is a compliance threshold, not scored.
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 8
- Salaries and wages for project personnel (researchers, engineers, technicians)
- Subcontracts to Canadian suppliers and partners
- Materials, consumables, and prototype components
- Equipment rental or purchase directly required for the project
- Travel costs related to project execution and DND engagement
- Testing and certification costs
- Intellectual property and patent costs related to the project
- Overhead and indirect costs (typically capped at 15-20% depending on CFP)
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Capital expenditures for permanent infrastructure or facilities
- Marketing, business development, or commercialization costs unrelated to the challenge
- Costs incurred before contract execution
- Entertainment and hospitality expenses
- Goods and services sourced outside Canada beyond the 50% Canadian content threshold
Intake Periods
Rolling challenge-based model. New CFPs posted throughout the year for specific defence/security challenges. Five new Competitive Projects challenges were launched October 2025. The DISH CFP ran February 18 - April 2, 2026. No single annual deadline — monitor PriviDox continuously.
Deadline Notes
IDEaS operates on a rolling challenge-based model. New Calls for Proposals are posted throughout the year for specific defence/security challenges. Five new Competitive Projects challenges were launched October 2025. The DISH CFP is open Feb 18 - Apr 2, 2026. Applicants must monitor the IDEaS website and PriviDox portal for new opportunities. There is no single annual deadline.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Federal public servants and federal government departments
- Organizations unable to meet the 50% Canadian content requirement
- Organizations subject to Canadian sanctions or controlled goods restrictions without appropriate clearance
Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare. Unlock with Premium →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Innovation for Defence Exce... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation for Defence Excellence and... | Up to $1.5M | Hard | Milestone-Based | Ongoing |
| NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program | $100,000–$500,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
| Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... | Up to $50 million | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — continuous... |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Annual intake window.... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for