IDEaS: Competitive Projects

Eligibility

This CFP is open to individuals, academia, not-for-profit organizations, provincial/territorial or municipal government organizations, and all industry. Federal and provincial crown corporations are not eligible for funding.

Summary

Up to $6.75 million in phased development funding to propel technology forward. Innovative solutions from Technology Readiness Level  (TRL) 1 to 9 can be funded through a Competitive Projects challenge. Solutions can enter the continuum at any funding component based on their TRL.

Funding Components

• Component 1a (up to 6 months, up to $250,000): Component 1a provides innovators the opportunity to "conceive" their solution, explain how their solution will address the specific challenge, and validate that "conception" is possible, over a maximum period of six months. If an innovator's solution is at TRL 1 to 3, - their proposal will be considered for Component 1a funding.
   
• Component 1b (up to 12 months, up to $1.5 million): Component 1b will allow innovators to begin to “design” their concepts. If an innovator’s solution is at TRL 4 or 5, their proposal will be considered for Component 1b. Innovators will have up to a full year to advance their solution and address the specific challenge.
   
• Component 2 (up to $5 million): Component 2 furthers science and technology (S&T) efforts to help the progression of an innovator’s solution up to a potential of TRL 9. If an innovator’s solution is at TRL 6 to 9, their proposal will be considered for Component 2. The period of performance will be determined at the time of contract negotiation.

Opportunities

• Beyond GPS - Quantum solutions for next generation multistatic radar systems: Seeking quantum optics solutions for synchronization between local radar oscillators where the transmitters and receivers are separated by long distances in a netted radar system.
   
• Powering the future - Solid-state hydrogen storage for military platforms: Seeking solid-state hydrogen storage solutions to support the decarbonization of military ground vehicles.
   
• Time without limits - Developing tactical-grade clocks for GPS-denied environments in the North: Seeking solutions that offer precise positioning, navigation, and timing in GPS-denied environments and in extreme northern environments.
   
• Code meets combat - Architecting the future of electromagnetic spectrum superiority: Seeking solutions to enable precision planning of offensive EW operations, while ensuring that friendly forces are not disrupted by electromagnetic spectrum fratricide. 
   
• Gateway to the stars - Advancing hybrid space networks in low Earth orbit: Seeking solutions that demonstrate space-based communication gateways connecting diverse space-based assets.

Overhead

Under this program, overhead can be calculated on direct payroll costs as follows:

• at a rate of 65% for on-campus costs
• at a rate of 30% for off-campus costs

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Submitting to the Department of Defence
Please refer to Section 3.3 - How to Apply on page 21 of Solicitation No. W7714-248676 for detailed instructions for submitting your proposal through the Defence Innovation Portal. 

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application