Department of National Defence Canada

Funds Canadian defense innovation through challenge mechanisms, research contributions, and partnerships supporting security technology.

The Department of National Defence Canada funds defence and security innovation through challenge programs, research contributions, and competitive grants for Canadian innovators. Its flagship route is Defence IDEaS, launched in 2018 and now carrying more than CAD 1 billion of defence and security innovation spending over 20 years, with delivery tied to the Department's research and development arm.

IDEaS is built around several mechanisms: Competitive Projects can reach CAD 6.75 million in phased support, Innovation Networks can reach CAD 3 million, and contests, sandboxes, and test drives add prize, testbed, and procurement-style pathways. DND also runs MINDS for defence-policy research, with Targeted Engagement Grants up to CAD 50,000 and a scholarship stream with SSHRC, and the Canadian Safety and Security Program delivers public-safety science through DRDC with government partners.

The department is a strong fit for Canadian businesses, academic institutions, individuals, non-profits, and government teams that can frame a concrete defence or public-safety problem. IDEaS works best for technology validation and field trials, MINDS for policy and social-science work, and CSSP for collaborative safety science. Across the portfolio, DND rewards applicants that can show operational relevance, partner alignment, and a realistic path to use by the Canadian Armed Forces or public-safety partners.