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IDEaS NORAD Modernization S&T contest

Contests

Competition between innovators is the fuel we use to foster the best innovative solutions.

Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) is offering grants to support innovations and concepts that advance NORAD modernization science and technology (S&T) to future-proof North America's defence against aerospace and maritime threats. IDEaS is looking to fund early stage solutions (technology readiness levels (TRLs) 1-6) in the following domains:

What IDEaS provides

This contest invites innovators to tackle the key priorities outlined in Canada’s NORAD modernization plan. This contest will follow a stage-gated approach wherein successful applicants will undergo an evaluation and selection process to access financial incentives. The initial pool of funding for the first round of grants is $19M.

What innovators bring

Solutions at TRLs 1-6 that provide new perspectives and measures in the domains relevant to this challenge that support the defence of North America will be considered. The proposals must benefit Canada’s defence and security sectors and contribute broader long-term socio-economic including prioritizing, protecting and supporting Northern and Indigenous communities.

The challenge

IDEaS is offering grants to support innovations and concepts that advance NORAD modernization S&T to future-proof North America's defence against aerospace and maritime threats. In addition to bolstering NORAD and the CAFs’ ability to protect North America, the grants offer an opportunity for research and development collaborations that strengthen Canada's innovation and industrial sectors, and deepen DND’s strong Northern, territorial, and Indigenous partnerships.

The awards aim more specifically to support Canada’s NORAD modernization plan. In particular, this contest aims to support ongoing evolution of continental defence capabilities with investments supporting researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs in assessing new and emerging threats, evolving research and development work, and co-developing innovative technological solutions in immediate priority areas.

Challenge topics

This call for proposals will concentrate on five key challenge areas that align with immediate priorities in Canada's NORAD modernization plan. While proposals targeting these focus areas are encouraged, applicants are also invited to submit proposals to explore related, innovative ideas within the defined challenge topics.

Topic Area of Focus
Accelerating the development of quantum technologies
  • Support research collaboration to advance the application of quantum computing and quantum algorithms to relevant real-world problems including signal processing, anomaly detection and optimization;
  • Support technological advances in quantum repeaters as a key enabler of quantum networking for distributed quantum sensors;
  • Support the development and demonstration of logical quantum bits as an enabling technology for fault-tolerant quantum computing.
Advancing the state of the art of autonomous technologies
  • Support technological advances in autonomous navigation and communication in complex Air, Land, Sea and Underwater environments
  • Support technical solutions that enhance situational awareness in air, land, sea and underwater systems within operational environments;
  • Solutions that enable human and robot cooperation to operate efficiently and intuitively in air, land, sea, and underwater environments.
Advancing technological solutions to CUAS
  • Drone on drone interceptors – Support advances in drone technology against enemy drones, detecting and defeating targets;
  • Advance wider areas sensing to achieve persistent gapless coverage in UAS threat detection, tracking and identification, including confident detection and positive identification of passive non-emitting UAS at tactical range, in a cluttered combined and joint environment;
  • S&T to assess and develop kinetic effectors that are cost effective against swarms of drones that are immune to electromagnetic warfare (EW) countermeasures.
Enhancing the Arctic mobility and navigation of military platforms, including ships, land vehicles, and aircrafts
  • S&T that supports detection, classification, localization, and tracking of Arctic environmental features (sensor systems and data processing) to better sense Arctic environmental conditions around the platform;
  • Enhanced operator guidance systems for warship navigation in ice to provide current and predicted future ice loads on the hull;
  • Autonomous and remotely piloted systems to enhance mobility and navigation in harsh Arctic environmental conditions. This could include the development of uncrewed air, ground, surface, or underwater systems capable of operating in harsh Arctic conditions, including ship-deployed uncrewed systems for ice reconnaissance.
Investigating scalable, energy-efficient and sustainable power and energy solutions for current and future DND/CAF arctic requirements
  • Develop decision-making tools to inform sustainable technologies in integrated power and energy microgrid systems for DND/CAF locations;
  • Investigate the integration of hydrogen technologies in integrated systems that use renewable resources as alternatives;
  • Model climate change impact and predict their effect on energy demand and impact on military infrastructure.

Proposal requirements:

Applicants must provide a clear and concise proposal summary that:

  • Outlines the proposal's objectives and provides a detailed implementation plan.
  • Demonstrates the potential outcomes and impacts, highlighting innovative scientific, technical, or technological solutions that align with the goals of NORAD modernization.
  • Includes a feasibility assessment outlining proposal's capabilities and expected benefits, specifically in the context of enhancing North America's defence systems.
  • Provides key performance indicators and identifies market potential, with a focus on long-term impact for Canada’s defence and security sectors.
  • When applicable, incorporates Indigenous knowledge, values, and practices, recognizing the role of Indigenous communities in contributing to innovative solutions for defence and security.

Winners will be selected based on the alignment of their proposal with the challenge topic and its demonstrated potential for innovation and impact.

Contest structure

DND/CAF are seeking innovative solutions that will advance technologies that address emerging defence challenges and enhance operational capabilities. This contest invites Innovators to tackle the key priorities outlined in Canada’s NORAD Modernization Plan. This contest will follow a stage-gated approach wherein successful applicants will undergo an evaluation and selection process to access financial incentives.

The contest has three rounds:

  • Round one – Proposal submission (semi-finalists selected)

    During the first stage of the contest, all applicants will complete an online submission describing their innovation and how it aligns with the challenge. Participants are encouraged to propose cutting-edge solutions that not only enhance current systems but also anticipate and adapt to emerging threats. Proposals will be evaluated to establish a group of semi-finalists, who will receive a share of the $19M prize fund for this round and move on to participate in round two.

  • Round two – Demonstration/presentation

    Round two of this contest will occur one year after the selection of semi-finalists from round one. During this round, semi-finalists will present their projects through a demonstration or presentation, where evaluators and subject matter experts will assess each project’s progress and the impact of its innovations. To accommodate the diverse nature of these demonstrations, evaluations may be conducted in person or virtually, depending on project requirements. The highest-performing projects identified in this evaluation will advance to be considered for the grand prize. Further details on evaluation criteria will be provided ahead of the demonstration/presentation.

  • Round three - Grand prize (finalists selected)

    Following the demonstrations, the evaluation team will carefully review each project to identify those that have shown outstanding innovation, notable advancement, and novel ideas. Further financial incentives will be awarded to the project(s) that demonstrate the highest achievements in innovation and impact throughout the contest.

How to apply

To receive the applicant guide and instructions on how to apply, email the Contests team:
IDEaSContests.IDEeSConcours@forces.gc.ca

Eligibility

The applicant must be a legal entity duly incorporated and validly existing in Canada, including:

  • Canadian universities and educational institutions chartered in Canada.
  • Incorporated Canadian not-for-profit organizations or associations.
  • Incorporated Canadian for-profit companies, organizations, or associations.
  • Canadian Provincial/territorial, or municipal government organizations.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 15:00 EST February 6, 2025.

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