IDEaS

IDEaS would like to share that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will be launching the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)’s next series of challenges opening on July 1st, 2024. 

Canada looks to continue its success on the international innovation, research, and development scene. Canada had the highest number of NATO DIANA applications per capita from the NATO countries and we hope to see this same success this year. 

  For its 2024 call, DIANA will seek solutions in a Challenge Programme comprising five Challenge Statements that address key focus areas from the Strategic Direction; these challenge statements are further refined by three cross-cutting themes including space, resilience, and sustainability. 

These Challenge Statements are in the following five focused areas:  

  Energy and Power 

• Security and Surveillance 
• Human Health and Performance 
• Critical Infrastructure and Logistics 
• Data and Information Security  

NATO is providing innovators with a pipeline to actively shape the future security and defence environment together. DIANA will work directly with leading innovators – from early-stage start-ups to more mature companies – to seek commercially-focused technological breakthroughs to solve defence and security challenges by accelerating the development of dual-use deep technology.

If you’re interested to learn more about the DIANA program and participate in the process, you are encouraged to join a NATO information webinar planned for early to mid-July.

More information about the application procedure can be found on DIANA's website and LinkedIn. 

Good luck, innovators! 

The IDEaS team

Four innovators have been awarded funding to further develop their promising concepts under the Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) concept development call for proposals. The concepts are looking at ways to detect and defeat micro and mini drones. The ultimate goal would be to integrate these systems into the broader military command and control system. Visit the CUAS Concept Development web page for the list of innovators who are working in this critical space.

Have a promising concept you would like to develop and missed the first call? A second call for CUAS concepts is currently underway and closes on April 15, 2024, at 2:00 PM EDT. As with the first call, innovators will be eligible for up to $2.5 million in funding per project to advance their concepts into tangible technology, ready to be tested in a real-world environment!

IDEaS would like to share the following opportunity for Canadian innovators working in artificial intelligence, quantum, or advanced materials:

The U.S. Army is inviting interested international entities to participate in the 2024 xTechInternational competition with a focus on AI for Intelligence and Decision-Making Applications, Quantum Sensing, and Indigenous Materials Forward.

xTechInternational is a forum for eligible international small to medium businesses and international academic and research institutions to engage with the U.S. Department of Defense while pitching their novel technology solutions, earning prize money, and potentially participating in an accelerator program.

The deadline to submit applications is March 7, 2024. For more information including on eligibility and how to apply

View  Online

Congratulations to the University of Waterloo, the University of New Brunswick, the University of Toronto, Polytechnique Montréal, and all project partners! IDEaS has awarded a total of $18 million in funding to six new research clusters, called micro-nets, to advance quantum research. The micro-nets will work with their partners over the course of the next four years to develop, integrate, and demonstrate quantum technologies that can transform current defence and security capabilities.

IDEaS would like to thank everyone who applied for this call for proposals.

To find out more about the challenge, visit the Innovation Networks web page.

The IDEaS team

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Des réseaux de recherche nouvellement créés pour stimuler les progrès de la technologie quantique

Félicitations à l'Université de Waterloo, l'Université du Nouveau-Brunswick, l'Université de Toronto, Polytechnique Montréal et à tous les partenaires du projet ! IDEeS a accordé un financement total de 18 millions de dollars à six nouveaux groupes de recherche, appelés micro-réseaux, afin de faire progresser la recherche quantique. Les micro-réseaux travailleront avec leurs partenaires au cours des quatre prochaines années pour développer, intégrer et démontrer des technologies quantiques susceptibles de transformer les capacités actuelles de défense et de sécurité.

IDEeS souhaite remercier tous ceux qui ont postulé à cet appel de propositions.

Pour en savoir plus sur le défi, visitez la page Web Réseaux d'innovation.

L’équipe IDEeS

Seven Canadian companies have been selected to take part in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO’s) Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA’s) pilot challenges, showcasing the depth of innovation talent and expertise across the country.

The seven Canadian companies chosen for the pilot are (in no particular order):

1. Dynorotor Inc. (AquaGen Blue) – Energy Resilience
2. Marine Thinking Inc. – Sensing and Surveillance
3. McGuire Aero Propulsion Solutions – Energy Resilience
4. Phantom Photonics – Sensing and Surveillance
5. Ping DSP – Sensing and Surveillance
6. Texavie – Energy Resilience

7.   VanWyn – Security Information Sharing

These companies will refine their technologies and products designed to keep NATO populations safe and secure.

NATO DIANA works with leading researchers and entrepreneurs across the Alliance, helping them develop technologies to keep NATO populations safe and secure.

NATO DIANA is celebrating a key milestone by selecting 44 of the most promising applicants from across the Alliance to join its pilot challenge cohorts. The cohorts will embark upon a six-month intensive programme to develop their business into promising ventures. NATO DIANA brings together universities, industry, and governments to work with start-ups and other innovators to solve strategic dual-use security and defence challenges, growing a new generation of NATO innovators.

The 44 successful companies from across the Alliance have been assigned to one of the five accelerator sites chosen for the pilot programme: Tallinn, Estonia; Turin, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Boston and Seattle in the United States. Starting in January 2024, the companies will embark upon the programme which has been custom-designed for early-stage dual-use start-ups.

For the 2023 pilot challenge call, NATO DIANA focused on three areas:

1. Energy resilience - providing resilient power in disaster or conflict;
2. Sensing and surveillance - gathering information from underwater; and,
3. Secure information sharing - providing trusted data anywhere.

Through a combination of seminars, workshops, and mentorship, the companies will gain a comprehensive understanding of the dual-use landscape and learn how to successfully navigate both commercial and defence markets. Simultaneously, they will have the opportunity to refine their technologies and products through access to NATO DIANA’s network of test centres, comprising over 200 world-leading technical testing facilities.

The most promising companies will then graduate to an additional six-month scaling programme of tailored support and additional grant funding. All of the innovators selected for the programme will help to maintain NATO’s technological edge by enhancing the Allied innovation ecosystem.

More information on the strategic 2023 focus areas can be found on NATO DIANA’s challenge programme web page (available in English only).

Additional information on NATO DIANA can be found on NATO DIANA’s website (available in English only).

The IDEaS team

The U.S. Army, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, is now accepting concept white papers for its xTechInternational Competition. The competition is open to international entities including small to medium businesses and academic and research institutions interested in tackling current challenges in the advanced manufacturing and materials space. Up to $530,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to eligible participants, which includes Canadian innovators. 

 In addition to the cash prizes, the xTechInternational competition will provide:

• Direct access to Department of Defense and international stakeholders;
• Transparent and detailed feedback from multi-disciplinary experts; and
• Mentoring and educational opportunities through their accelerator programming.
   

The competition is open now and accepting concept white paper submissions until 13:00 GMT (8:00 a.m. EST) March 2, 2023.

For more information, visit the xTechInternational competition web page.  

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are preparing for a quantum world and are looking for your knowledge and expertise.  The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program will be funding up to $3 million per successful proposal to create multidisciplinary research micro-networks (micro-nets) through its Innovation Networks element to build expertise in the field of quantum technology.

IDEaS will fund micro-nets to develop, integrate and demonstrate quantum technologies that can revolutionize current defence and security capabilities in:

• Quantum sensing and sensors (including for positioning, navigation and timing);
• Quantum communications; and
• Quantum computing, simulations and algorithms

Submit your letter of intent (LOI) by 14:00 (EST) Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

For more information, visit our Innovation Networks page.

The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program has launched four new challenges under its Competitive Projects element. These new challenges cover a wide scope of Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) needs including the Arctic domain, cognitive radio communications, human autonomy teaming, and just-in-time resupply of common medical equipment and devices in austere environments.

Don’t miss the opportunity to apply to:

1. Land to sea with low GHGs: Arctic eco-safe transit of personnel and cargo from ship to shore

1. Loud and clear: Assured naval radio communications in complex electromagnetic environments

1. Best of both worlds: Human autonomy teaming for effective decision making

1. Under pressure: Just-in-time medical resupply in austere environments

Submit your proposals by December 20, 2022!

The IDEaS Team

The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program has launched four new challenges under its Competitive Projects element. These new challenges cover a wide scope of Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) needs including the Arctic domain, cognitive radio communications, human autonomy teaming, and just-in-time resupply of common medical equipment and devices in austere environments.

• Land to sea with low GHGs: Arctic eco-safe transit of personnel and cargo from ship to shore
• Loud and clear: Assured naval radio communications in complex electromagnetic environments
• Best of both worlds: Human autonomy teaming for effective decision making
• Under pressure: Just-in-time medical resupply in austere environments

Submit your proposals by December 20, 2022!

IDEaS would like to share with our innovator community two new exciting opportunities for Canadian Innovators with NATO. Apply now to the following NATO Innovation Challenge focussing on data management and security or to become the next Managing Director of the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic!

View Online

Are you looking for an opportunity to demonstrate your technical skills in the realm of robotics, machine learning and AI? Take a look at the IDEaS program’s newest Contest: Robot Round-up: Advanced robotics platforms and control solutions. This Contest will enable Canadian innovators to demonstrate their advanced robotic platforms and control solutions to help Canadian Armed Forces members accomplish high risk tasks.

Don’t miss your chance to put your ideas in the spotlight and compete for your opportunity to win a cash prize and the ability to work with experts from the Canadian Armed Forces to further develop your advanced platforms.

All applications must be submitted by August 2^nd, 2022.

Apply Now

View Online

The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program has launched four new challenges under its Competitive Projects element covering a wide scope of Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) needs, from the arctic domain to C4ISR and the preservation of wildlife.

View Online

View Online

Le français suit

Sandbox CUAS Detect and/or Defeat Challenge is closing soon!

The closing date for the Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) 2022 Sandbox challenge is fast approaching! Don’t miss your opportunity to bring your ‘A’ game and demonstrate how your solution can detect and/or defeat our team of drones. Get your technology at the forefront where you will interact one-on-one with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and RCMP end-users and science experts. Submit your application prior to 2 PM on April 13, 2022.

Heads-up: new IDEaS challenges coming your way!

Spring is upon us and the IDEaS program will soon be offering a breath of fresh air to its innovators.

The Contests element will be launching a new challenge called Robot Round-up: Advanced robotics platforms and solutions. This next challenge invites the masterminds of the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence domain to go head-to-head for a chance to win cash and bragging rights. Stay tuned for more information and timelines.

Incoming! Competitive Projects will launch new challenges this spring. Keep your ears to the ground to find out what we have in store for our Canadian Innovators in this new call for proposals. Domains will include C4ISR, the arctic and Space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance SB-ISR. Embark on a journey to take your technology to new heights through our Competitive Projects element.

Seize your chance to work with the US Department of Defense

The Defense Innovation Unit operated by the United States’ Department of Defense (DoD) is inviting Canadian Innovators to submit their commercial solutions to help solve national security challenges. View their open solicitations now:

• Endpoint Accuracy: The DoD is seeking technology that will deflect or self-aim a standard issue round to its target. This technology will augment the system to increase accuracy against targets selected by the shooter. System characteristics include: software compatibility with small arms fire control systems; standardized interfacing for fire control flexibility; improved accuracy; and shortened time of engagement through the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) process. Closes March 11, 2022.
• Autonomous Perimeter Security: The DoD is seeking to prototype an automated system of networked, collaborative sensors that can detect, track and identify potential intruders for perimeters in environments including forests, urban areas, coastlines, rivers and harbors. Closes March 14, 2022.

L’Environnement protégé du défi Détecter et/ou Vaincre les systèmes aériens sans pilotes (CUAS)  fermera bientôt !

La date de clôture de l’environnement protégé des systèmes aériens sans pilote (CUAS) 2022 approche à grands pas ! Ne manquez pas votre chance de démontrer comment votre solution peut détecter et/ou vaincre notre équipe de drones. Mettez votre technologie au premier rang où vous interagirez avec les utilisateurs et les experts scientifiques des Forces armées canadiennes (FAC) et de la GRC. Soumettez votre candidature avant 14 h 00 le 13 avril 2022.

Attention : de nouveaux défis IDEeS arrivent !

Le printemps est à nos portes et le programme IDEeS offrira bientôt une bouffée d'air frais à ses innovateurs.

L'élément Concours lancera un nouveau défi appelé Foules robots : Plates-formes et solutions de commande robotique avancées. Ce prochain défi invite les cerveaux du domaine de la robotique et de l'intelligence artificielle (IA) à s'affronter pour tenter de gagner des prix et des droits de célébrer. Restez à l'écoute pour plus d'informations.

Nouveauté ! Les Projets compétitifs lanceront de nouveaux défis ce printemps. Restez à l'écoute pour découvrir ce que nous réservons à nos innovateurs canadiens dans ce nouvel appel de propositions. Les domaines comprendront le C4ISR, l’Arctique et le renseignement spatial, la surveillance et la reconnaissance SB-ISR. Amener votre technologie vers de nouveaux sommets grâce à notre élément Projets compétitifs.

Saisissez votre chance de travailler avec le département américain de la Défense

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) gérée par le Department of Defence (DoD) des États-Unis invite les innovateurs canadiens à soumettre leurs solutions commerciales pour aider à résoudre des problèmes de sécurité nationale. Consultez leurs sollicitations ouvertes maintenant :

• Précision des points finaux (en Anglais seulement)  : le DoD recherche une technologie capable de faire dévier ou de viser automatiquement une balle standard vers sa cible. Cette technologie augmentera le système pour accroitre la précision contre les cibles sélectionnées par le tireur. Les caractéristiques du système comprennent : la compatibilité logicielle avec les systèmes de contrôle de tir des armes légères ; interface standardisée pour la flexibilité du contrôle de tir ; précision améliorée; et raccourcissement du temps d'engagement grâce au processus Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA). Fermeture le 11 mars 2022.
• Sécurité périmétrique autonome (en Anglais seulement)  : le DoD cherche à prototyper un système automatisé de capteurs collaboratifs en réseau capables de détecter, de suivre et d'identifier les intrus potentiels pour les périmètres dans des environnements tels que les forêts, les zones urbaines, les côtes, les rivières et les ports. Fermeture le 14 mars 2022.

IDEaS keeps rolling. With over $28 million in funding awarded in the last few months, IDEaS is taking big steps to push technology forward for defence innovation. Here are some of our latest funding awards.

 Pandemic Response: IDEaS program awards 12 contribution agreements valued at over $10.3M as part of the fight against COVID-19

 At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IDEaS program launched four Challenges as part of the Pan-Government response to COVID-19. Ranging in topic from moral trauma to sanitization to using big data to track the virus, IDEaS selected 48 “Phase One” projects for funding. As the threat of the pandemic remains ever present, the IDEaS program continues to support state-of-the-art solutions in the fight against COVID-19 and future pandemic responses. Of these original 48 projects, 12 projects have now received an additional $1 million in funding to pursue their research.

Test Driving AI and machine learning to Improve geospatial awareness

 IDEaS is providing an additional $5.8 million to Toronto-based company Ecopia to test their mapping solution in a real world environment. Ecopia is the 2^nd project from IDEaS 1^st Call for Proposals to advance to a Test Drive.  CAF/DND will be ‘Test Driving’ their technology to detect, recognize, identify and track objects of interest using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

The winners of Pop Up City Contest Round 3 are moving on!

IDEaS has awarded three contribution agreements of $1.5 million to each of the winning teams of the Pop Up City Pitch event.  Congratulations to Terragon Environmental Technologies Inc., Innocorps Research Corporation and SNC-Lavalin Inc. and their contest teams! Contestants will vie for an additional $2 million prize in Round Four by presenting their ultimate water, waste, and energy management system designed for relocatable temporary camps. Thank you to all participants, pitchers, judges and members of our technical team for participating. For more information about Pop Up City visit the Pop Up City page:

Pop Up City: Integrating Energy, Water and Waste Management Systems for Deployed Camps - Canada.ca

Taking technology higher: Three follow-on awards given to promising concepts

Three exciting technologies that were funded by IDEaS Competitive Projects 1^st Call for Proposals have shown promise for DND and will be given a boost to further advance their solutions.

Two innovative solutions have been identified for the Making Sense of the Chatter challenge.  Uncharted Software Inc. and Nexalogy have both received $2.6M to bring their technology to new heights.  A third solution developed by Xtract Technologies has received $1.1M to continue advancing their technology in response to the Detection and Classification of Objects of Interest challenge.