Space Technology Development Program (STDP)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Funds Canadian for-profit and not-for-profit organizations developing pre-commercial space technologies through non-repayable contributions. The program supports R&D projects that advance space-related technologies along the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale, with streams for advanced technologies (up to $1M), small businesses (up to $350K), and early-stage innovations (up to $500K). Since 2012, STDP has invested over $120M supporting 249 space technology projects across 100+ Canadian organizations.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit organizations established and operating in Canada
- Not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada
- Academic institutions excluded as primary recipients (may participate as subcontractors or partners)
- Small Business stream (AO 10.2): organizations with 50 or fewer employees
- Maximum of 1 project per stream; maximum 2 projects across all AO 10 streams combined
- Projects targeting TRL higher than 6 are ineligible
- Minimum 50% of project spending must occur in Canada
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $1,000,000 per project (Advanced Technologies stream); up to $350,000 (Small Business stream); up to $500,000 (Next Wave stream)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Active — AO 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 currently open (2026 cycle)
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 TipThe evaluation rubric gives 60% weight to your post-project commercialization strategy, not the R&D itself. Your market assessment (15 points) rewards picking a non-saturated technology sector with room to grow. Roadmap to Deployment (30 points) is the highest-weighted single criterion: demonstrate concrete post-project TRL progression with committed stakeholder letters. Equipment and software costs are capped at 20% of total budget and overhead at 15%, so design your budget around salaries and direct R&D costs.
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Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Post-project commercialization strategy scored below the 60% threshold
- Project targets TRL above 6 (explicitly ineligible)
- Technology duplicates a previously CSA-funded project
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Success Profile
Established Canadian space technology SME with existing TRL 4-5 technologies ready for advancement. Demonstrates strong post-project commercialization plans with identified customers or partners. Companies with prior STDP awards have an advantage. Winning proposals target non-saturated market niches and commit to keeping at least 50% of project spending in Canada.
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Evaluation Criteria
100-point rubric with 70% overall minimum threshold. Project Strategy (40%): Innovation (10 pts) + Implementation (30 pts, min 60%). Post-Project Strategy (60%): Market Assessment (15 pts) + Roadmap to Deployment (30 pts) + Benefit to Applicant (7.5 pts) + Benefit to Canadian Space Sector (7.5 pts). Post-project commercialization strategy carries 60% of total weight — the heaviest-weighted dimension.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 8
- Salaries and benefits for project staff (benefits capped at 20% of admissible salary)
- Equipment acquisition or rental and software (max 20% of total eligible costs)
- Consultant services (third-party technical expertise)
- Data acquisition costs
- Laboratory analysis services
- Materials and supplies
- Travel, accommodation, and meal allowances
- Overhead/administrative costs (max 15% of total eligible costs)
Ineligible Expenses 6
- Earth observation data processing solutions
- Space-related medical technologies
- Prospecting and In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)
- Space food production technologies
- Space life support systems
- Technologies already funded by CSA through other mechanisms
Intake Periods
Periodic Announcements of Opportunity (AOs), typically issued annually. AO 10 (2026): registration by Feb 6, applications by Mar 13. AO 9 (2025), AO 8 (2024), AO 7 (2023). Next AO 11 expected late 2026 or early 2027.
Deadline Notes
STDP operates via periodic Announcements of Opportunity (AOs). AO 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3 are currently open for the 2026 cycle. Previous AO 10 registration closed February 6, 2026 with applications due March 13. Check asc-csa.gc.ca for current deadlines.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Academic institutions as primary recipients (may participate as subcontractors or partners)
- Organizations not established and operating in Canada
- Federal Crown corporations
- Organizations that cannot demonstrate 25% cost-share capacity
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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 STDP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space Technology Development Program ... | Up to $1,000,000 | Hard | Reimbursement | Active — AO 10.1, 10.2,... |
| CanExport Innovation | Up to $37,500 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Between intakes —... |
| 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... |
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