How IDEaS works
The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program is investing over $1 billion in innovations for defence and security over 20 years.
The IDEaS program is designed to improve DND’s access to the creative potential of Canadian innovators. We use your knowledge and concepts to enhance defence capability, create an economic impact, and ultimately, to build an innovation ecosystem for national defence.
From the early stages of an idea to the final testing in a real world environment, IDEaS mobilizes Canadian innovators through defence and security challenges and collaborates to best adapt, shape and maximize the potential of your technology.
IDEaS is uniquely positioned within DND to simultaneously utilize the guidance of DND/CAF leadership and the technical expertise of our defence scientists in order to help grow and support Canada's innovation community. The program regularly draws upon the in-house expertise of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), DND’s national network of scientists, defence researchers and technology experts.
Elements
Comprised of five different funding elements that have very different roles, IDEaS can help innovators move rapidly along the innovation continuum.
Competitive Projects
Up to $6.75M in phased development funding to propel technology forward.
Innovation Networks
Up to $3M to stimulate the free flow of ideas critical for innovation.
Contests
Competition between innovators is the fuel we use to foster the best innovative solutions.
Sandboxes
We bring in the experts, you bring the technology. Prizes may be awarded for solutions tracking towards success.
Test Drives
The Canadian Armed Forces will put your tech through its paces.
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