IDEaS – How It Works
Video / June 12, 2025
Transcript
Great ideas come from connections.
That’s why we connect Canada’s toughest defence and security challenges with creative innovators of all shapes and sizes, funding promising solutions.
Through our five funding elements, IDEaS supports innovators at all stages of their journey, from applied research to solution conception and development to building and testing advanced prototypes.
Competitive Projects provides up to $6.75 million dollars in phased funding. Additionally, innovators can enter at any phase of the technology development, whether to conceive, design, or build their solutions, and can propose solutions at any Technology Readiness level.
Note: On screen for above (Competitive Projects):
- Phased technology development
- Conceive, design, or build solutions
- Accepting any Technology Readiness Level
Innovation Networks funds the creation of new research clusters to advance key strategic areas relevant to defence and security needs. These networks encourage the free flow of ideas between academia, industry, and other partners to stimulate the collaboration that is critical to innovation.
Note: On screen for above (Innovation Networks):
- Creation of new research clusters
- Combining academia, industry, and other partners
Contests are an exciting way to find the best solutions by rewarding the most innovative approaches. Innovators compete against their peers while propelling their research and development.
Note: On screen for above (Contests):
- Rewarding the most innovative approaches
- Compete against peers
Sandboxes give innovators the opportunity to demonstrate their concepts and prototypes in front of defence scientists, experts and potential end-users. In turn, they receive valuable feedback to customize solution development. Plus, innovators may now be eligible to win prizes up to one million dollars!
Note: On screen for above (Sandboxes):
- Demonstrate concepts and prototypes
- Customize solution development
Finally, Test Drives allow our Defence Team to test the readiness of advanced solutions to see if they can be a part of our future defence capabilities.
Note: On screen for above (Test Drives):
- Readiness testing of advanced solutions
By participating in the IDEaS program, you can:
- Build your network.
- Get funding to advance your technology.
- And get valuable feedback from National Defence experts.
Visit us at: Canada.ca/Defence-IDEaS and subscribe to our mailing list to get IDEaS challenges and program-specific news directly in your inbox.