Sponsor
The Department of National Defence (DND)
Program
IDEaS- Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security
For More Information
Please visit the Drone surge: Scaling tactical Uncrewed Aerial Systems manufacturing for modern defence-IDEaS-Department of National Defence webpage.
Description
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are seeking innovative, low-cost, attritable Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) to address critical gaps in military readiness and industrial capacity. The aim is to accelerate the development of scalable, cost-effective UAS solutions that:
- Enhance operational effectiveness;
- Improve interoperability; and,
- Strengthen Canada’s domestic industrial base.
The development of cost-effective, attritable UAS represents a transformative opportunity for Canada’s defence and security industry. By fostering innovation and enhancing domestic capabilities, this challenge will position Canada at the forefront of UAS technology while ensuring the protection of national sovereignty. DND/CAF are hosting this challenge to:
- Observe advancements in Canadian low-cost UAS capabilities relative to the current state of the art;
- Stimulate the growth of Canada’s domestic UAS industry and workforce;
- Identify supply chain patterns and vulnerabilities;
- Enhance Canadian capabilities for rapid UAS deployment and iteration; and,
- Increase DND/CAF familiarity of the design principles and features that drive UAS innovation at scale.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are:
- Canadian universities and educational institutions chartered in Canada;
- Canadian incorporated for-profit organizations;
- Canadian incorporated not-for-profit organizations;
- Canadian provincial, territorial, and municipal government organizations.
Federal departments, agencies or crown corporations, and any person that is employed under one of these, are not eligible for funding.
Applicants must be legal entities duly incorporated and validly existing in Canada.
If partnering with an organization, partners must also be from one of the above eligible organizations.
Funding Availability
- Round One: Submit a proposal – a chance to be awarded a $35,000 cash prize.
- Round Two: Provide detailed plans for a scalable, low-cost UAS system – a potential to receive funding up to $350,000.
- Round Three: Demonstrate UAS prototype – eligible for additional funding up to $650,000.
Indirect Costs
15% of eligible costs before overhead
Project Duration
See the Drone surge: Scaling tactical Uncrewed Aerial Systems manufacturing for modern defence-IDEaS-Department of National Defence webpage for contest structure.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | Signed OR-5 form and a copy of the proposal due to research.services@uoguelph.ca. | |
External Deadline | Proposals to be submitted using the CPC Connect digital platform provided by Canada Post Corporation (CPC). |
How to Apply
Applicants must use the Contest Proposal form (DND 6110) found on the contest webpage. Applicants are and will remain solely responsible for the accuracy and completeness of their submission. Applicants should read the applicant guide and the challenge statement in its entirety prior to submitting their proposal. At round one, only the estimated cost per uncrewed aerial unit system is required; detailed project costs are not required at this stage.
The proposal must be submitted by an eligible Canadian applicant organization/institution, by the stated deadline, using the DND Contest Proposal form template. No proposal submissions will be accepted after the deadline. Proposals not using the DND contest form will not be accepted for consideration. Applicants are required to register and submit their proposal(s) using the CPC Connect digital platform provided by Canada Post Corporation (CPC). CPC Connect is a digital delivery platform that facilitates sending and receiving confidential messages and documents. Proposals will not be accepted by email. It is the applicant’s responsibility to hold an account with CPC Connect and to complete the submission steps to submit the proposal.
- Request your Connect conversation (see instructions under Step 2 in Section 5.3 in the Applicant Guide) at least five (5) days prior to the CFP closing.
- Classified proposals will not be accepted for this CFP.