Notice – Space Technology Development Program Industrial Capability-Building Contributions (AO 7)

Publication date: May 25th, 2022

1. Purpose

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is informing the Canadian space industry of its intention to proceed with the posting of four (4) potential Announcements of Opportunities (AOs) as part of its Grants and Contributions Program – Space Technologies Development Program (STDP) component. In the context of the new space economy, the purpose of the AOs is to provide financial support to businesses in the Canadian space industry that develop technological innovations with a potential for tangible economic benefits for Canada. The potential AOs to be published are described briefly in section 2.

The objectives of this notice are the following:

• To inform the space industry of the planned posting date for and content of these AOs;
• To enable the space industry to comment on the described AOs;
• To give the space industry the time to consider collaborations or partnerships with other firms, universities or research centers (not mandatory but encouraged).

Comments and suggestions will not be used for a formal assessment; however, they could potentially be used in the final preparation of the AO. No additional exchange on the subjects raised should be expected.

The CSA encourages any interested organization to submit comments or suggestions in response to this notice no later than June 21, 2022 however, participation in this notice is neither a condition nor a prerequisite for participation in any subsequent AO. This notice will not be used to establish a list of potential suppliers for any upcoming AO.

2. Eligible Projects and Description of the AOs

The CSA's technology demonstration AO aims to support the basic research and development of technologies that demonstrate strong commercial potential.

It is planned to divide any potential AOs that will be posted as part of the Grants and Contributions Program - STDP component into four (4) categories. Eligible projects will include all space technologies including ground segment technologies.

Eligible projects do not include the following development as they are or will be supported through other funding opportunities:

• Application development related to Earth Observation data, Satellite Telecommunications data, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data
• Development of space-related medical technologies

The definition of R&D used by the STDP, and for this notice, is as follows:

"Any pre-commercial technology activities that are carried out to resolve unknowns regarding the feasibility of space concepts in the space sector."

Eligible recipients are limited to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, excluding academic institutions.

AO 7.1 Space R&D – Advanced technologies:

Non-repayable contributions of up to $1 million for research and development (R&D) space projects with the potential of economic benefits in the short to medium term, between 2 and 5 years. Initial technology readiness level (TRL) for these projects is expected to be TRL 4 or TRL 5.

Note: This category is open to all for-profit and not-for-profit Canadian businesses.

AO 7.2 Space R&D - Small businesses:

Non-repayable contributions of up to $250,000 for R&D space projects carried out by small businesses.

Note: This category is open exclusively to for-profit and not-for-profit Canadian small businesses (with up to 50 employees).

AO 7.3 Space R&D – Next wave technologies:

Non-repayable contributions of up to $500,000 for research and development (R&D) space projects with the potential of economic benefits in the medium to long term, between 5 and 10 years.

Note: This category is open to all for-profit and not-for-profit Canadian businesses.

AO 7.4 Space R&D – Quantum Technologies:

Non-repayable contributions of up to $500,000 for research and development (R&D) of quantum technologies for space applications with the potential of economic benefits in the medium to long term, between 5 and 10 years.

Note: This category is open to all for-profit and not-for-profit Canadian businesses.

The AO will use a 1-step application process consisting of the submission of an application using a predefined format to be provided.

The total funding available under this AO is currently expected to be approximately $18M. The CSA plans to allocate approximately 50% of the total AO budget to the first category (AO 7.1), 20% to the second (AO 7.2), 20% to the third (AO 7.3), 10% to the fourth (AO 7.4).

Approved proposals will be qualified for a total government (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal) assistance of up to a maximum of 75% of total eligible project costs.

Any logical breakdown or combination of project phases can constitute a funded project. However, breaking down a project into numerous phases to obtain more than the maximum contribution of the AO is not allowed.

Furthermore, if a proposal is for pursuing a standalone R&D found in another awarded contribution (past or ongoing), the proposed follow-up R&D, even if funded in a new contribution agreement, is considered another phase of R&D of the same G&C project for which the program has a cumulative limit of $5M. If the maximum funding for one project is not reached, the completion of a funded phase does not automatically guarantee funding of the remaining phases.

3. Important Comments

This notice is not an AO and should not be considered as a commitment on the part of the Government of Canada to publish one. No agreement based on this notice will be concluded. This notice does not in any way authorize prospective interested organizations to undertake work, the cost of which could be claimed from Canada.

In the information provided to Canada, organizations submitting comments or suggestions are encouraged to indicate the presence of any information which they consider as exclusive, personal or belonging to a third party. Please note that Canada may be required by law (e.g., in response to a request under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act) to disclose information that is proprietary or sensitive at the commercial level.

Organizations submitting comments or suggestions are required to indicate whether their response, or any part thereof, is subject to the Controlled Goods Regulations.

Organizations submitting comments or suggestions will receive no reimbursement for the costs incurred in replying to this notice.

It should be noted that the descriptions of the AOs in section 2 and the distribution of the total AO budget are subject to change between now and the official publication of the AOs, if necessary.

The CSA encourages the space industry to collaborate with the academic sector in the implementation of the AO by promoting projects that will include student and academic participation.

Potential applicants may be interested in contacting Mitacs, a national not-for-profit organization. It builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada, especially by helping companies access the talent, technologies, and strategic partnerships they need to innovate and grow. Academic researchers and highly skilled graduates or postdoctoral talent can be leveraged on research projects in collaboration with universities. Potential applicants will have to account for the Mitacs funding as part of the total government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) assistance in the application form.

For guidance, publication of the AOs is targeted for June 24, 2022 on the CSA website. Several factors may influence this date, or even lead to the cancellation of such a publication.

Comments and suggestions will not be submitted to a formal assessment; however, they could be used in the preparation of potential AOs. No additional exchange on the subjects raised should be expected. Clarification may be requested as needed.

This notice is subject to change. If necessary, these changes will be published on the CSA website.

4. Email Address and Response Deadline

Interested organizations can email their comments or suggestions to the following address, no later than June 21, 2022:

Email: pdts-stdp@asc-csa.gc.ca

The June 21, 2022 deadline was set to ensure that the comments and suggestions received can be processed. Comments will be accepted until the AOs are published (where relevant); however, due to the posting date planned for these AOs, it is possible that late comments may not be duly considered.