Challenges

We're backing risk takers to solve challenges. Are you ready?

The Government of Canada is looking for innovators to solve challenges. As the single largest purchaser of Canadian goods and services, the Government of Canada has a unique opportunity to support the growth of Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs.

We need you, Canadian small businesses and innovators, to develop novel solutions to these challenges. Through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, we're partnering with eligible Canadian small businesses and facilitating the early development, testing and validation of prototypes, as well as preparing a pathway to commercialization.

  • If your idea is selected, you could receive funding to develop a proof of feasibility.
  • If your proof of feasibility is approved, you could receive funding to develop a prototype.
  • If the developed innovation solves the Government of Canada's challenge, we could be your first buyer.
  • Funding amounts are identified in each individual challenge.

Proposed solutions

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New challenges

Plastics challenge: Advancing Reuse to Replace Single-Use Plastics

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is seeking environmentally acceptable and cost-effective innovative systems or technologies to increase the adoption of reuse systems to replace single-use plastic packaging.

Funding mechanism: Grant

Opening date: September 12, 2023
Closing date: October 24, 2023, 14:00 Eastern Time

Military and Space

We are seeking pre-commercial innovative prototypes that can be tested in real life settings and address a variety of priorities within the Government of Canada.

Funding mechanism: Contract

Opening date: September 12, 2023
Closing date: October 3, 14:00 Eastern Time

Health

We are seeking pre-commercial innovative prototypes that can be tested in real life settings and address a variety of priorities within the Government of Canada.

Funding mechanism: Contract

Opening date: September 12, 2023
Closing date: October 3, 14:00 Eastern Time

Clean Technology and Climate Change

We are seeking pre-commercial innovative prototypes that can be tested in real life settings and address a variety of priorities within the Government of Canada.

Funding mechanism: Contract

Opening date: September 12, 2023
Closing date: October 3, 14:00 Eastern Time

Field-ready lateral flow test for avian influenza

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking an easy-to-use, rapid, and affordable lateral flow test to detect Avian Influenza (AI) and at the same time, H5 and H7 subtypes, with the same sensitivity and specificity as current molecular diagnostic tests used in the CFIA laboratory.

Funding mechanism: Grant

Opening date: August 30, 2023
Closing date: October 11, 2023, 14:00 Eastern Time

Low-carbon construction materials

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) are seeking a solution that will develop low-carbon construction materials prioritizing functionality and cost-efficiency, with an emphasis on concrete/cement and steel.

Funding mechanism: Grant

Opening date: August 23, 2023
Closing date: October 4, 2023, 14:00 Eastern Time

Low-carbon industrial heating solutions

The National Research Council Canada (NRC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are seeking low-carbon and cost-effective industrial heating technologies to diminish carbon emissions resulting from industrial heating processes, while simultaneously facilitating progress towards achieving net-zero targets.

Funding mechanism: Grant

Opening date: August 23, 2023
Closing date: October 4, 2023, 14:00 Eastern Time

High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS) for Ultra-Long-Range (ULR) wireless backhaul

Shared Services Canada (SSC) is seeking the development of a solution that will extend the reach of ultra-long-range wireless backhaul (i.e. over-the-horizon ranges) using High Altitude Platform Systems HAPS).

Funding mechanism: Contract

Opening date: August 17, 2023
Closing date: September 28, 2023, 14:00 Eastern Time

Collaboration innovation hub

Shared Services Canada (SSC) is seeking a solution that will create a virtual space where SSC staff and stakeholders can find one another, come together, communicate, share information, and exchange innovative ideas.

Funding mechanism: Contract

Opening date: August 17, 2023
Closing date: September 28, 2023, 14:00 Eastern Time

Supply chain verifiable digital credentials

Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) are seeking a solution that will provide the supply chain with verified digital credentials and digital product passports to achieve full end-to-end product digital transparency, reduce costs, and help prevent supply chain fraud.

Funding mechanism: Contract

Opening date: August 15, 2023
Closing date: September 26, 2023, 14:00 Eastern Time

Digital asset repository

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Shared Services Canada (SSC) are seeking the development of a digital asset solution to facilitate the seizure and storage of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from multiple public blockchains.

Funding mechanism: Contract

Opening date: August 10, 2023
Closing date: September 21, 2023, 14:00 Eastern Time

Closed funding opportunities

Icon Challenge Sponsoring department Closing date
Quantum communications Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2023-08-03
Quantum sensing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2023-08-03
Quantum computing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2023-08-03
Bioreactor for 3D bioprinted vessels National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2023-07-19
Single-mode Circuit quantum electrodynamics device for quantum sensing Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) 2023-07-12
Shipboard confined space examination Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) 2023-06-21
Automated accessibility assessment tool Shared Services Canada (SSC) 2023-06-06
Auto remediation of document accessibility issues Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) 2023-05-30
The Canadian North and Arctic Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2023-04-18
Digitization and cybersecurity Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2023-04-18
Military and Space Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2023-04-18
Quantum imaging Department of National Defence (DND) 2023-04-05
Fabrication system for atom-scale quantum devices Innovation, Science and Economic Development 2023-03-29
Aerosol Particle Charge Conditioner National Research Council (NRC) 2023-03-17
Environmental domoic acid test Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) 2023-01-31
Quantum computing for climate Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-11-23
Quantum-enhanced radio-frequency sensing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-11-23
AI for space robotics auto-diagnostics and early failure prediction Canadian Space Agency (CSA) 2022-11-10
Stabilization of quantum measurements The National Research Council 2022-11-03
Visual AI for space robotics obstacle detection The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) 2022-11-03
Proximity sensor system for space robotics The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) 2022-10-28
Greening government: Call for prototypes Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-10-21
Military: Call for prototypes Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-10-21
Autonomous systems and robotics: Call for prototypes Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-10-21
Detecting concussions using objective indicators Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) 2022-09-12
Plastics challenge: Mitigating the release of microplastics from tire wear Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2022-08-31
Respiratory disease therapeutics National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2022-08-29
Bi-Directional Electric Vehicle Charging Solution Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) 2022-07-20
Quantum sensing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-07-13
Quantum communications Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-07-13
Quantum computing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-07-13
Oceans: Calls for proposals Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-04-26
Defence: Calls for proposals Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-04-26
Arctic and the North: Calls for proposals Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2022-04-26
High resolution forest mapping Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) 2022-04-05
Call for quantum sensing prototypes: Quantum level biophoton optical imager National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2022-02-24
Call for quantum sensing prototypes: Scaled down dilution refrigerator National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2022-02-24
Call for quantum sensing prototypes: Ultrasensitive spectroscopy system for quantum photonics National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2022-02-24
AI decryption service Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) 2022-01-26
Interrogator for Fiber Bragg Grating Distributed Sensing Arrays National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2022-01-12
COVID-19: Made-in-Canada Compostable Elastomeric Materials for Medical Glove Manufacturing National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2021-12-23
COVID-19: Reducing Airborne Transmission of Respiratory Viruses in Buildings Lacking a Mechanical Ventilation System National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2021-12-23
COVID-19: High Performance Low Cost Detection of Biomarkers National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2021-12-23
Cost and Waste Reduction of Tree Planting Natural Resources Canada 2021-12-21
COVID-19: Solutions to Reducing Airborne Hazards in Ground Public Transportation National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2021-10-25
COVID-19: Transparent medical grade mask National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2021-09-07
Hyper-Spectral Sensing with Intense Ultrafast Laser Fields National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2021-07-23
Modernization of handcuffs Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) 2021-06-22
COVID-19: Development of a portable detection device for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater National Research Council (NRC) 2021-06-10
Inclusive Respirator Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) 2021-06-09
Detection of granulomas for tuberculosis surveillance Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) 2021-05-04
Testing Stream — Open calls for innovative prototypes Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2021-02-05
Photonic detection beyond single photons National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2021-01-27
Quantum Computing-as-a-Service Shared Services Canada (SSC) 2021-01-19
Enhancing automation in controlled environment agriculture farming Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) 2021-01-19
Canadian meat processing technology development challenge Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) 2021-01-13
Ultra-Long-Range Wireless Backhaul Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) 2020-12-16
Digital navigation matching tool for federal programs and services Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) 2020-12-04
COVID-19: Compostable disposable surgical masks and compostable disposable respirators used in the Canadian healthcare system National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in collaboration with Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Health Canada (HC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) 2020-11-17
COVID-19: Recycling technologies for disposable (single-use) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in healthcare sector National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in collaboration with Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada (HC) 2020-11-06
Canadian Coastal Zone Information System Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) 2020-09-25
Developing innovative phytosanitary treatment options for control of quarantine plant pests Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) 2020-09-22
Detection of food borne pathogenic bacteria using field deployable instruments Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) 2020-07-28
COVID-19 Challenge: Magnetic reagents for detection of COVID-19 and other RNA based molecular diagnostic kits National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2020-06-16
Development of quiet depth finder technology Transport Canada (TC) 2020-06-10
Plastics challenge - Filtration of microplastics in ship greywater Transport Canada (TC) 2020-06-10
Protecting the Southern Resident Killer Whale: Reducing Underwater Noise from Escort Tugs Transport Canada (TC) 2020-06-10
Plastics challenge — Recycled plastic ceiling tiles Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 2020-06-09
Turning pixels into data: Imaging for accessibility Public Service and Procurement Canada 2020-06-02
COVID-19 Challenge: An intelligent digital clearing house National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) 2020-06-02
Plastics challenge — Textiles and microfibers Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2020-05-29
Plastics challenge — Sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2020-05-29
Plastics challenge — Diverting end of life vehicle plastics from landfills National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2020-05-28
Outdoor Air Purifier Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 2020-05-28
Eco-friendly Waste Converter Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 2020-05-28
Plastics challenge — E-waste Shared Services Canada (SSC) 2020-05-26
Plastics challenge — In-situ sensing technology for monitoring microplastics in the marine environment National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2020-05-26
Nanocomposite Fabrics Production System National Research Council (NRC) 2020-05-25
Surveying objects across an air-water interface National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2020-05-25
AI Software for Photonics Semiconductor Fabrication National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2020-05-22
Alternate Format Business Technology Challenge Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) 2020-05-21
Secure and confidential rule matching Communications Security Establishment (CSE) 2020-05-21
Energy Producing Window Coverings Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 2020-05-19
Call for prototypes to help combat COVID-19 Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) 2020-04-22
COVID-19 Challenge - Point of Care and Home Diagnostic Kit for COVID-19 Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2020-04-21
COVID-19 challenge – Low-cost sensor system for COVID-19 patient monitoring National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2020-04-21
COVID-19 Challenge: Made in Canada filtration material for the manufacture of N95 respirators and surgical masks National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2020-04-17
User-Centric Verifiable Digital Credentials Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada (TBS) 2019-11-07
Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine matching Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) 2019-10-29
Hybrid Ceramic Powder Processing System National Research Council (NRC) 2019-10-29
Stable Liposomes as Drug Carriers National Research Council (NRC) 2019-10-29
Data Centre Discovery Tool with Options Analysis Shared Services Canada (SSC) 2019-10-24
Identification of Microbial Mixtures Health Canada 2019-10-18
Point of Care Diagnostics to combat Antimicrobial resistance Health Canada 2019-10-18
Machine learning to improve organ donation rates and make better matches Health Canada 2019-10-18
Automated redaction of video recordings for the purposes of Access to Information requests Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) 2019-10-16
Plastics Challenge — Development of Next Generation Bio-Based Foam Insulation Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) 2019-08-27
Portable Package Auto Sampler Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) 2019-07-08
Postal Small Packet and Package Inspection Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) 2019-07-08
Kinetic Energy Harvesting on Marine Vessels Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard 2019-05-14
Coal Mine Tailings Pond Public Services and Procurement Canada 2019-02-19
Tracing the Steel Industry Supply Chain Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) 2019-02-15
Advanced Decision Support for First Responder Command and Control Department of National Defence (DND) Defence Research and Development Canada Centre for Security Science 2019-02-07
Logistics and Resource Management of Emergency Response Assets Department of National Defence (DND) - Defence Research and Development Canada Centre for Security Science 2019-02-07
Up Hands Free Fire Fighting Department of National Defence (DND) Defence Research and Development Canada Centre for Security Science 2019-02-07
Marine Biotoxin Detection Devices for Shellfish Canadian Food Inspection Agency 2019-01-29
Innovative Device for Plant Pest Surveillance Canadian Food Inspection Agency 2019-01-29
Innovative Attractants to Wood Boring Insects Canadian Food Inspection Agency 2019-01-29
Audio Quality Enhancements for Remote Interpretation Services Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) 2019-01-17
graphic representation of Improving Robot-Environment Interaction Improving Robot-Environment Interaction National Research Council (NRC) 2019-01-14
Moulding of High Performance Composites Materials Moulding of High Performance Composites Materials National Research Council (NRC) 2019-01-14
graphic representation of Composite Material Manufacturing Simulation Software Composite Material Manufacturing Simulation Software National Research Council (NRC) 2019-01-14
Preventing Contraband Delivery via Air and Ground Correctional Services Canada 2019-01-10
Detection System for Wireless Communication Correctional Services Canada 2019-01-08
Plastics Challenge — Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture Gear Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 2018-12-20
Life Sign Monitoring System (LSMS) Correctional Services Canada 2018-12-20
Improving the Internet Connectivity of Users in Remote Locations Shared Services Canada (SSC) 2018-12-17
Enhancing Pedestrian and Cyclist Road Safety Transport Canada (TC) 2018-12-17
Scaling Down Precision Agriculture Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) 2018-12-17
Efficient Soil Sampling Techniques Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) 2018-12-17
Plastics Challenge — Remove and Manage Ghost Fishing Gear and Marine Debris Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 2018-12-13
Plastics Challenge — Improved Compostibility of Bioplastics Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) 2018-12-13
Plastics Challenge — Construction Waste Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2018-12-12
Plastics Challenge — Separation of Mixed Plastics Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2018-12-12
Plastics Challenge — Recycling of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Transport Canada (TC) 2018-12-12
Plastics Challenge — Food Packaging Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 2018-12-12
Earth Observation Images Processing and Management System Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) 2018-10-01
Innovative Platform to Facilitate Evidence-Informed Decision-Making Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) 2018-10-01
Haptic System National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2018-09-20
Electroencephalography (EEG) and Vital Signs Integrated Existing Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) sets National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2018-09-20
Measurement of Cold Spray National Research Council of Canada (NRC) 2018-09-20
Platform Corrosion Detection and Prevention Department of National Defence (DND) 2018-08-23
High Energy Lasers Department of National Defence (DND) 2018-08-23
Night Vision Ergonomics Enhancement Department of National Defence (DND) 2018-08-23
Additive Manufacturing for High Performance Systems Department of National Defence (DND) 2018-08-23
Connected Vehicle and Engineered Surfaces Challenge Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2018-02-09
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing: Metal Powder Bed Density Test Equipment National Research Council of Canada 2018-03-20
Engineered Surfaces Challenge Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2018-04-04
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics for Advanced Autonomous Space Systems Canadian Space Agency 2018-04-11
Advanced Coatings and Materials for Personal Protective Ensembles Department of National Defence 2018-04-20
Robust "Beyond Line of Sight" (BLOS) Communications in Satellite-Denied Environments Department of National Defence 2018-04-20