Competitive Projects

Competitive Projects Funding
  • Text version of graphic

    Competitive Projects Funding:
    Phase 1: Up to $200,000 is available for the first six months.
    Phase 2: Up to $1,000,000 for ome year to further develop their solution.

    Eligible Recipients: Everyone! Except government employees and Crown corporations

    Solution Readiness: Level: 1-6

Competitive Projects are project proposals sought to address S&T Challenges through regular calls for proposals. The IDEaS Program will provide financial support through contracts and contribution agreements where phased development allows for continual progress as milestones are achieved for quick project implementation as well as quick termination if warranted.

Competitive Projects Success Stories - Changing the Cyber Game

Whether it be rogue nations, terror groups or individuals bent on doing harm, malicious actors are constantly seeking ways to infiltrate Canada’s cyber defences. Being able to identify who is behind the screen is the first stage of taking action to combat a threat.

Competitive Projects Success Stories - Changing the Cyber Game

Whether it be rogue nations, terror groups or individuals bent on doing harm, malicious actors are constantly seeking ways to infiltrate Canada’s cyber defences. Being able to identify who is behind the screen is the first stage of taking action to combat a threat.

“The IDEaS program is leading a very positive change in the Canadian innovation landscape that is giving rise to new dynamic interactions between [the] DND and industry. Through this IDEaS challenge, we will develop new tools for [the] DND in cyber defence, that are at the forefront in the engagement of Canada’s cyber adversaries.” — Shaun Covell, CEO Sapper Labs Inc.

“Working as an operational DND stakeholder within the IDEaS challenge, “Cyber Attribution of Sophisticated Threat Actors” has been truly rewarding and has promoted collaboration between innovators and departmental resources to a level that is unparalleled in other R&D organizations within the defence sector. The innovation components and subsequent vehicles have enabled the defence research community, industry and operational DND stakeholders to truly come together to solve some of the toughest defence and security problems that our sector will be facing for the next 20 years. The program has provided the support structures for innovators to develop solutions from their conceptual stage, through to prototype testing and operationally scaled test drives, that put their respective solutions through the paces in order to provide scaled solutions to some of our toughest problem sets. We sincerely look forward to continue to work through the IDEaS Component 4 element in order to test and evaluate the innovator’s Cyber Attribution solution in a realistic environment as part of a DND operational stakeholder-led testdrive plan.”  — Operational DND Stakeholder 

Competitive Projects Success Stories: Repairing the fabric of soldiers and their families

You’ve heard the term: Post-traumatic stress disorder. But it takes on a new meaning in a military context. It can disrupt lives and families when soldiers return from active duty. It can even lead to substance abuse and suicide. That’s why IDEaS has committed to supporting the research community involved in studying this condition from the unique perspective of the armed forces. Eight one million dollar projects are putting the pieces of the PTSD puzzle together. Studying biofeedback, biomarkers, and brain scans, researchers are looking at the physiology of the disorder. Treatment options that employ virtual reality and online tools help soldiers cope with their symptoms and heal. And re-integrating into family life takes a new set of skills. All with the goal of advanced and customized treatments for soldiers.

“As the Chief of Psychiatry for the Canadian Armed Forces, IDEaS has been an exciting opportunity to advance our understanding of PTSD with the promise of improving diagnosis and treatment and ultimately reducing suffering of our psychologically injured members. IDEaS has been a timely welcome boost to our research program.” — Col Rakesh Jetly, Chief of Psychiatry, CAF OMM, CD, MD, FRCPC

Competitive Projects Success Stories - All seeing eyes deter space threats

When conducting space operations, the Canadian Armed Forces needs a comprehensive picture of the environment to make it safe and efficient for operators and equipment.

A prototype 360 degree camera armed with onboard Artificial Intelligence (AI) developed by Canadensys aerospace will allow the CAF to classify and potentially identify approaching space objects.

Visual identification of approaching space objects can protect space assets. Identifying the cause of an incident gives decision makers better information to formulate an appropriate response. Attributing a threat to a group, nation, or individual changes the risk-reward calculus for an adversary. And rapid identification, via on-board AI, of an incoming threat will allow appropriate defensive actions to be taken.

“In an increasingly congested, contested and competitive space domain we need actionable situational awareness of what is happening around our assets, including the identification of approaching space objects. This high definition space surveillance system is a perfect example of the type of innovation we must pursue if we are to achieve our defend and protect mandate.” — Brigadier General Kevin G. Whale, Director General & Component Commander – Space, Royal Canadian Air Force

“In the space of a single year IDEaS catapulted our technology to the point where it not only aligns better with national needs in security and defence but also now genuinely competes in the global market” — Dr. Nadeem Ghafoor, Vice-President, Space Exploration Canadensys Aerospace Corporation

Competitive Projects- CFP 3

A cold wind blows: Seeking smaller, Ruggedized Wind Turbines for the arctic

Breaking the ice: Ground Solutions for Removing Frozen Contaminants from Aircraft

Collision course: Tracking and De-Orbiting Space Debris

Now you see me, now you don’t: Reducing Visual and Infrared Detection of Soldiers and Their Vehicles

Quantum leap: Shrinking Sensing Technologies for Field Operations

Shields up!: Defend and Protect Satellites from Natural and Artificial Threats

All systems go!: Predicting and Optimizing Maintenance for Military Platforms

Casting a wide net: Creating Secure Mobile Networks While on the Move

Keeping cell phones secure: On Untrusted Networks

Power up: Portable Soldiers for on the Move

Remaining vigilant: Identifying Cyber Dependencies, Vulnerabilities and Threats

And others including:

  • Beyond the Classroom
  • Spot the Hack
  • Spring Into Action
  • Staying Four Steps Ahead

Challenges and Entries funded:

March 2019: 27 Challenges, 172 Entries Funded

February 2020: 45 Challenges, 278 Entries Funded

Program value
  • Text version of graphic

    The above graphic is a comparison of the Program Value between March 2019 and February 2020

    The first graph is a comparison of the Program value of $45,700,00 in 2019 with $101,300,000 in 2020

    The second graph is a comparison of $1,700,000 in 2019 with $47,600,000 in 2020

Page details

Date modified: