IDEaS Contests
Funds Canadian innovators solving defence and security problems through IDEaS grant-prize contests.
The Department of National Defence administers IDEaS Contests as a grant-prize mechanism under the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program. The official Contests page describes the route as defence and security prize contests where selected participants can secure grant prizes that support research and development. It is separate from the already-cataloged IDEaS Sandbox and Defence …
Defence and security research and development challenges selected through the IDEaS Contests mechanism.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply
Sign up free to see what you submit
Sign up free to see the timeline
Sign up free to see where teams trip up
Guides for this application
All guides →Grant Work Plan Template: Work Packages, Gantt, Milestones, and Risks
Use this grant work plan template to structure work packages, tasks, owners, deliverables, Gantt timing, dependencies, and risk registers.
DocumentsGrant Pitch Deck Example: Slides, Storyline, and Video Script
See a grant pitch deck example with slide outline, EIC-style pitch logic, demo-video script, and grant-vs-investor deck differences.
Start hereTRL Levels Explained for Deeptech Founders
Learn what TRL levels mean, how to estimate technology readiness, and how TRL affects grants, EIC Accelerator, SBIR/STTR, funding stage, and application evidence.
More from DND Canada
All grants from this funder →Defence IDEaS — Competitive Projects
🇨🇦DND Canada · Canada
Offers research teams and institutions for Defence IDEaS Competitive Projects in defense innovation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
MINDS Targeted Engagement Grants
🇨🇦DND Canada · Canada
Helps research teams and institutions for MINDS Targeted Engagement Grants in defense innovation.
Defence Innovation Secure Hubs
🇨🇦DND Canada · Canada
Funds Canadian consortia establishing secure quantum and uncrewed-systems defence innovation hubs.
Canadian Safety and Security Program — Collaborative Projects
🇨🇦DND Canada · Canada
Supports research teams and institutions for Canadian Safety and Security Collaborative Projects in defense innovation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox
DND Canada · Canada
Funds counter-UAS prototype developers competing for IDEaS Sandbox monetary prizes.
Similar grants
Browse the directory →
Ocean Idea Challenge
🇨🇦OSP · Canada
Pays up to $8,000 to Canada-based individuals, teams and very early-stage companies who complete a milestone-based customer discovery sprint validating an ocean-sustainability idea.
CIRIF Intake 1
🇨🇦CFI · Canada
Funds institutions hosting Canada Impact Chairs through major infrastructure support.
CIRIF Intake 2
🇨🇦CFI · Canada
Funds institutions hosting Canada Impact Chairs through major infrastructure support.
Horizon Critical Infrastructure: Stress-Test Tools
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds two €4.84M projects giving infrastructure operators and authorities better ways to simulate disruptions, spot weak points, and learn from real incidents.
Horizon Civil Security: Secure Cargo and Customs Control
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds four €3.5M projects that detect dangerous, illicit and smuggled goods in cargo while keeping trade moving.
Horizon Civil Security: Terrorism Prevention in Confined Spaces
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds two €4.8M projects that help police and communities catch radicalisation early and stop lone-actor attacks on schools and public buildings.