IDEaS — Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox 2026 ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Canadian private sector companies (primary focus) - Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) - Large established defence contractors - Technology innovators and system integrators - Research institutions (in partnership with industry) - Companies with security clearance capability or willingness to obtain clearance - Entities able to comply with Canadian defence procurement standards - Organizations capable of integration with military command and control systems Note: Foreign-owned entities may participate with Canadian subsidiary registration; export control compliance required. --- ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Type: Non-repayable contribution (sandbox/prototype development phase) - Funding Structure: Government funds innovation projects; no matching contribution required (though cost-sharing may strengthen applications) - Project Scope: Prototype and proof-of-concept development - Repayability: Non-repayable — funds are a contribution, not a loan - Budget Range: Typically $50,000 to $500,000+ per project (specific limits to be confirmed in official RFP) - Payment Model: Milestone-based disbursement tied to deliverables and progress reports - Intellectual Property: Typically shared or retained by recipient with DND/CAF access rights --- ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Research & Development costs for detection technologies - Defeat/mitigation system design and development - Prototype engineering and fabrication - Integration testing with military command and control infrastructure - Technical personnel salaries (project-specific roles) - Software development and algorithms for threat detection - Hardware procurement for prototype components - Testing and validation activities - Security assessment and compliance documentation - Travel to DND/CAF testing facilities (if required) - Consulting fees for specialized defence expertise - Documentation, reporting, and technical briefing materials Expenses must align with prototype development and proof-of-concept objectives. --- ### ⚠️