Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP)

Canadian Safety and Security Program — Collaborative Projects

Supports research teams and institutions for Canadian Safety and Security Collaborative Projects in defense innovation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP), coordinated by the Centre for Security Science within Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and delivered via Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), funds collaborative applied science and technology projects addressing public safety and national security. The program supports multi-year research and technology development across six priority themes: paramedic, fire, and law enforcement service support; disaster prevention and response; critical infrastructure protection; and counter-terrorism. Calls for proposals are issued through PSPC procurement channels and posted on CanadaBuys and MERX tender platforms, not through a standard open-grants portal.

Primary lead recipients are federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous government bodies. Academic institutions and industry participants are eligible to join as co-investigators or project partners within a government-led consortium. The most recent active call (CFP W7714-248656) specified project contract periods of approximately 45 months beginning January 2025. Award amounts are not published in open sources and must be obtained directly from individual CFP tender documents. There is no stated minimum or maximum award floor; budget guidance varies by call.

Organisations seeking CSSP funding must monitor CanadaBuys and MERX for new CFPs rather than checking a centrally maintained grant calendar. Winning proposals demonstrate clear alignment with the six priority themes, involve a qualified government lead partner, and articulate measurable S&T outcomes that address an identified public safety capability gap. CSSP is distinct from both the MINDS policy-research grants and the IDEaS technology-innovation challenges: it is the federal government's primary vehicle for applied public-safety S&T collaborative research in Canada.