CSA Issues Space Technology Development Program Industrial Capability Announcement of Opportunity

The Canadian Space Agency issued the expected Space Technology Development Program Industrial Capability – Building Contributions announcement of opportunity (AO) today. 

From the AO introduction: “Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan is focused on three priority areas to spur innovation: People, Technologies, and Companies. Working with industry, the Government of Canada will encourage innovation by increasing its support for basic R&D in space technology development. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is issuing this Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to support the development of Canadian industrial capabilities in the area of space technologies with the aim of increasing the commercial potential of Canadian space companies to capture global opportunities.”

“It is indeed paramount that the Canadian space industry remains strong, healthy and relevant, and that it has the required readiness to respond to national demand and the necessary competitiveness to secure an increased share of commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Only through innovation and continued investments in R&D can Canada ensure that it has the industrial depth and breadth to remain a valued player in the international arena.”

Eligible Projects

The CSA’s STDP aims to support the strengthening of industrial capabilities (new concepts, products and/or know-how) related to basic R&D of space technologies (space and/or ground segment).

Eligible projects do not include application development related to Earth Observation data, Satellite Telecommunications data, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data.

The AO is in organized in three separate categories:

STDP AO 4.1 Space R&D

This AO will award non-repayable contributions up to $2M per space technology project that expect commercial potential in the short to medium term (i.e. 2 to 5 years).

• Eligible Recipients: Eligible recipients are limited to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, excluding academic institutions
• Non-Repayable Contributions
• Maximum Amount per Project: $2,000,000
• Maximum Timeframe of the Project: 36 months with a possibility of extension to 48 months

Full details for AO 4.1.

STDP AO 4.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses

This AO will award non-repayable contributions up to $200,000 for space technology projects and limited to small companies (up to a maximum of 50 employees).

• Eligible Recipients: Eligible recipients are limited to small for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada (up to a maximum of 50 employees), excluding academic institutions
• Non-Repayable Contributions
• Maximum Amount per Project: $200,000
• Maximum Timeframe of the Project: 24 months with a possibility of extension to 36 months

Full details for AO 4.2.

STDP AO 4.3 Space R&D – Feasibility Studies

This AO will award non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 per project for space system design and technology feasibility studies that expect commercial potential in the medium to long term (i.e. 5 to 10 years).

• Eligible Recipients: Eligible recipients are limited to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, excluding academic institutions.
• Non-Repayable Contributions
• Maximum Amount per Project: $100,000
• Maximum Timeframe of the Project: 12 months with a possibility of extension to 24 months

Full details for AO 4.3.