Space Technology Development Program (STDP)
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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
- Basic R&D activities must be undertaken in Canada unless doing otherwise is essential to the project's success. The share of eligible costs spent in Canada is a SCORED criterion, not a hard minimum — 50% or less scores "Poor" but is permissible with a credible justification
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
- Between intakes — AO 10.1/10.2/10.3 closed March 13, 2026; next AO TBD.
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win STDP
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 8-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
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.
Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Post-project commercialization strategy scored below the 60% threshold
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 8
Ineligible Expenses 6
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
Applying for STDP? Our Financial Projections Model ($29) covers the cost-share, matching-fund, and cash-flow math reviewers want to see. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskHow STDP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about STDP