Targeted Engagement Grants
MINDS Targeted Engagement Grants provide funding for projects related to defence and security policy. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply.
Targeted Engagement Grants are NOW OPEN. Submit your application by October 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PTD). Applications received after this date and time will not be accepted. Review our newly updated Application Guide and Form before applying.
Targeted Engagement Grants: Young MINDS Initiative are NOW OPEN. Submit your application by October 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PTD). Applications received after this date and time will not be accepted. Review our newly updated Application Guide and Form before applying.
Funding Streams
Applications are only accepted during active competition periods, which take place in the spring and fall. Join our mailing list to be notified when the next competition opens.
The program includes two funding streams:
Targeted Engagement Grants
Get up to $100,000 in funding for defence and security-related projects such as conferences, roundtables, workshops, research and publications.
Targeted Engagement Grant: Young MINDS Initiative
Undergraduate and master’s students can get up to $10,000 to fund their defence and security-related research projects, publications or events.
For full details, review our application guide and form.
Eligibility
Project requirements
Your project must:
- demonstrate how it will achieve the MINDS Program objectives
- align with one or more MINDS Defence Policy Challenges
- support defence and security policy dialogue, research, or decision-making
Who can apply
You can apply if you:
- are an individual or are applying on behalf of an organization such as a university, think tank, non-governmental organization, corporation, or industry
- are based in Canada or internationally
Employees of federal, provincial/territorial, municipal or Indigenous government departments and agencies are not eligible to apply. This includes employees of Canadian Defence Academy institutions. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are also not eligible, except for Class A Reservists.
Applicants at the undergraduate or master’s level of study are only eligible to apply for funding through the Young MINDS Initiative.
Young MINDS Initiative: additional requirements
You must be:
- enrolled in an undergraduate or master’s program at an accredited university
- studying political science, history, international relations, public policy, or economics
- other fields of study may be considered if you can demonstrate how they relate to defence and security
- sponsored by a professional academic or recognized expert in the field at your institution of study
Research approval
You must get approval from the Social Science Research Review Board (SSRRB) if you are conducting social science research with:
- Department of National Defence civilian employees
- CAF members or their families
- applicants to the CAF
- members of Canadian Cadet organizations
To learn more about the review process or request the SSRRB submission form, contact SSRRB-CERSS@forces.gc.ca.
Detailed eligibility requirements can be found in the application guide.
How to apply
Step 1: Review the application guide
Application requirements may change between funding competitions. Review the application guide carefully each time you apply.
Step 2: Complete the application form
Select the form that applies to your project:
Note: Undergraduate and master’s students are only eligible to apply to the Young MINDS Initiative.
Step 3: Submit your application
Email your completed application to MINDS@forces.gc.ca
How we review your application
Applications are assessed and scored based on:
- how the project aligns with the MINDS Program objectives
- relevance to the MINDS Defence Policy Challenges
- use of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)
- how the project shows creativity or innovation
- how the project uses technology to achieve results and/or share findings
Funding is awarded to applicants with the highest evaluation scores.
Contact us
For questions, email minds@forces.gc.ca