What is Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS)?

What is the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program?

When the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program launched in 2018, it was designed as a means to invest in Canadian solutions to defence and security challenges. IDEaS has been connecting creative thinkers with the resources they need to launch their projects ever since. IDEaS has made over 446 strategic investments in innovation to date, working actively to leverage new technological advancements in order to meet evolving defence and security needs.

If you have an idea, IDEaS wants to hear from you! An innovator working from home? Scientist working within a corporation? An academic experimenting in a university lab? Regardless of your background, the IDEaS program is the perfect place to showcase your solution. The IDEaS program is open to all Canadians and can provide funding and guidance from military experts – regardless of the stage your concept.

New Challenges, New Approach

IDEaS uses a challenge-based approach to innovation. Each challenge released by IDEaS represents a genuine and current need from various Canadian defence and security teams. Challenges are written with broad language intentionally to encourage a higher volume of submissions. Don’t see any challenge your solution is applicable for? Stay involved by joining their email list in order to be notified when new challenges are released.

IDEaS has launched 58 challenges to date, and has invested over $161.2 million in signed contracts and contribution agreements. With numerous projects already underway, IDEaS is excited to continue funding innovative ideas for years to come. Even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, IDEaS has been continuing to support Canadian innovators.

IDEaS and COVID-19

A key characteristic of any effective innovation program is the ability to pivot quickly. In the spring of 2020, IDEaS was able to shift its attention and resources to contribute to Canada’s efforts to combat COVID-19. Defence Minister Harjit S. Shazam recently announced that approximately $8.64 million in funding was awarded to 48 contribution agreements in the past few months in support of COVID-19 based research and development.

Four specific challenge areas were outlined in relation to COVID-19: (1) sanitization of workspaces; (2) pandemic decision making; (3) re-using protective equipment; and (4) moral trauma on the frontline. In order to define these challenge areas and best serve the public, the IDEaS program collaborated closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and the National Research Council of Canada throughout this entire process.

How Much Funding is Available?

The Department of National Defence has committed to investing $1.6 billion in defence and security innovation over the span of twenty years. Of which, $313 million will be invested in the first five years through various avenues such as contribution agreements and contracts. Depending on the challenge released and stage of development, awarded contracts and contribution agreements can provide funding from tens of thousands to millions of dollars!

Multiple phases of development provide varying levels of support and funding. For example, the Competitive Projects element can award a contract in phase one of up to $200,000 in funding and support for up to six months. Contracts awarded in phase two are eligible for up to $1,000,000 in funding and support for up to one year. Ultimately, a test drive could result in the purchase and testing of your product, which has resulted in funding of $7.5 million for their most recent test drive. Along with Competitive Projects, IDEaS also hosts demonstrations for promising technologies through the Sandboxes stream. Contests are another way IDEaS derives the best technologies from Canadian innovators.

On the IDEaS web site, you can browse through past, current and future opportunities. Additionally, information detailing past contract recipients, contract dollar values, project titles and recipient demographic breakdowns are also available to the public.

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