Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
CSA's flagship program positioning Canadian companies in the commercial lunar economy. Technology Development stream funds up to $2 million per project (extensible to $4M) for space technologies with lunar applications. Targets for-profit companies at TRL 2–3 advancing to TRL 6. $159M over five years. LEAP Lunar Rover was cancelled in 2026 budget cuts but the broader program continues.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit or non-profit organizations in Canada
- Technology at TRL 2–3 at project start, must advance to TRL 6
- Must have relevance to lunar orbit, lunar surface, or cis-lunar missions
- Multiple organizations may partner; lead must be Canadian
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $2,000,000 (extensible to $4,000,000)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Periodic — monitor CSA funding portal for new Announcements of Opportunity
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipLEAP evaluates 50% on 'Outcomes and Benefits to Canada' — write a business case, not a science paper. Reference concrete lunar missions (NASA CLPS, ispace, Astrobotic) as potential customers. Contact the program office before the next AO to gauge fit.
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Success Profile
Canadian space tech SME with 10–100 employees, existing IP in robotics/AI/navigation/materials at TRL 2–3 with credible lunar commercial application.
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Evaluation Criteria
Applications are scored against weighted criteria with a minimum 80% overall threshold. Key criteria include: (1) Outcomes and Benefits to Canada — 50% weighting — commercial potential, Canadian supply chain positioning, job creation, export potential, (2) Technical merit — innovation, feasibility, TRL advancement plan, risk mitigation, (3) Management capability — team qualifications, project management approach, schedule realism, (4) Financial capacity — ability to co-fund 25%+ matching share, financial stability. Evaluators may include CSA staff, other government departments, and external consultants.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
Eligible Expenses 8
- Salaries and wages of project team members directly performing R&D activities
- Contractor and subcontractor costs for specialized technical work
- Materials and supplies consumed in technology development and testing
- Acquisition or rental of equipment (capped at 20% of total eligible project costs)
- Travel costs directly related to project execution (e.g., partner meetings, testing facilities)
- IP management and patent costs related to the project
- Environmental and regulatory compliance testing
- Space qualification and testing facility access fees
Ineligible Expenses 7
- Capital equipment exceeding 20% of total eligible project costs
- General operating expenses and corporate overhead not directly attributable to the project
- Marketing, sales, and business development costs
- Costs incurred before the contribution agreement is signed
- Work performed outside Canada (unless pre-approved for specific testing/validation)
- Acquisition of land or buildings
- Entertainment and hospitality expenses
Intake Periods
Periodic — not continuous. LEAP operates through Announcements of Opportunity (AOs) published on the CSA funding portal. First AO cycle was February 2020. LEAP 2.0 AOs began 2024-2025. Timing between AOs is irregular (12-24 months). Subscribe to CSA funding alerts for notifications.
Deadline Notes
Technology Development AO (2021–2022) is closed. LEAP 2.0 cycle launched 2024–2025. Subscribe to CSA funding alerts at asc-csa.gc.ca for new AOs. Projects typically need a letter of intent before full application.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Organizations not established or operating in Canada
- Individuals (must be a legal entity — for-profit or not-for-profit organization)
- Foreign companies without Canadian operations
- Government departments and agencies (may participate as partners but not as lead applicant)
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How LEAP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program... | Up to $2,000,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Periodic — monitor CSA... |
| 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.... |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
| Ocean Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Call-specific — no open... |
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