Government of Canada calls on innovative thinkers to solve defence and security challenges

Backgrounder

April 9, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces

On April 9, 2018, in support of Canada’s defence policy Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Department of National Defence (DND) launched the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program. IDEaS provides new opportunities to support innovators and innovation in Canada. It will create innovation networks, and facilitate the integration and adoption of new capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces and public safety and security communities.

The first IDEaS call for proposals, under the Competitive Projects element, seeks to resolve 16 important challenges. Under this call, Defence will invest up to $50 million in various defence and security domains.

This open competition will run until May 24, 2018. Interested parties may submit their proposals online using the submission tool.  The call for proposals is being administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada on behalf of DND. After a rigorous evaluation process, the initial selected proposals will be announced in Fall 2018.

Infographic - IDEaS Building Defence Capability

Recruiting Innovators

  • Ideation – Multi-disciplinary creativity sessions
  • Innovation Networks – Engagement of innovators
  • Mobility – Exchange of expertise

Supporting Innovation

  • Competitive Projects – Contracts or contribution funding
  • Contest – Incentivise demonstrable solutions
  • Sandboxes – Gain awareness of DND challenges

Maturing ideas into products

  • Assessment – Solutions and evaluation by CAF operators
  • Integrators – Directing solutions towards adoption

First Call for Proposals: Competitive Projects

Theme 1: People and enhanced human performance

The success of Canada’s defence mission depends on the effectiveness of CAF and DND personnel.

  • Understanding and addressing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Recruit, retain and reach 25% women CAF representation by 2026
  • Cognitive performance enhancement
  • Predicting and optimizing personnel performance
  • Human performance in extreme climates
  • Lightweight ballistic protection
  • Collaboration of robotic systems

Theme 2: Anticipate the threat

Rapid technological evolution poses a significant and complex challenge.

  • Detection and classification of objects of interest
  • Persistent maritime surveillance
  • Identification and characterization of space objects
  • What is in that full motion video?
  • Making sense of the chatter
  • Cyber attribution for the defence of Canada

Theme 3: Adapt to a changing environment

Enablers to support Canada’s military system must remain agile, flexible and responsive.

  • Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) hazard detection and planning
  • Resilient non-global positioning system (GPS) based positioning, navigation and timing
  • Proactive deterrence
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