Using procurement contracts, Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) addresses significant problems by supporting innovators and entrepreneurs in bringing novel concepts through to commercialization. Canadian SMEs are offered the opportunity to submit innovative solutions to challenges faced by the government through ISC’s Challenge Stream. There are three new challenges available for the ISC program this Fall which have all been sponsored by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
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“We advance the knowledge of space through science and ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians.”
Canadian Space Agency
The CSA is a Canadian government organization with the purpose of expanding Canada’s knowledge and capabilities in space through science. CSA aims to improve the lives of Canadians, and by extension humanity, with new discoveries, resources, and more. The CSA was established in 1989 and is a federal agency that operates with its own federal mandate.
The following is a list of the ISC challenges and how interested parties can begin the application process:
AI for Space Robotics Auto-Diagnostics and Early Failure Prediction Challenge
By utilizing the large set of stored system data records to train an agent to diagnose and predict failures of flight hardware, the AI for Space Robotics Auto-Diagnostics and Early Failure Prediction Challenge is designed to reduce the cost of managing the maintenance of space robotics.
By servicing equipment based on actual wear and tear rather than scheduled service visits, CSA wants to minimize on-orbit downtime, extend equipment life, and reduce safety hazards.
To see the full problem statement and desired outcomes for this challenge, visit the AI for Space Robotics Auto-Diagnostics and Early Failure Prediction Challenge program page.
Funding Amount
Funding for this challenge is being provided via two phases:
Phase one: Provides a maximum allotment of funding for successful candidates of $150,000 in the form of a six-month contract. This challenge is offering an estimated number of two contracts for phase one.
Phase two: Provides a maximum amount of $1 million in the form of a 24-month contract. There will only be one contract available for phase two. Please note: only successful phase one applicants will be invited to submit a proposal for phase two funding.
Eligible Applicants
Successful applicants may be selected if they are a small business which fits the following requirements:
- Is an incorporated Canadian for-profit company;
- Has fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees;
- Conducts R&D activities within Canada’s borders;
- 50% or more of FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work;
- 50% or more of the Bidder’s annual wages, salaries, and fees must be paid to employees and contractors who spend most of their time working in Canada; and
- 50% or more of the Bidder’s senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence.
Program Timelines
This challenge opened on September 2, 2022, and is currently accepting proposals until it’s close date at 2pm (ET) on October 28, 2022.
Visual AI for Space Robotics Obstacle Detection
By utilizing vision-system based Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to detect potential hazardous obstacles in real-time and verify clearance margins in dynamic and uncertain environments, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is seeking solutions to improve the autonomy of future space robotic systems.
The goal of this challenge is to explore the feasibility of AI-based vision systems that can monitor clearances for human ground controllers instead of requiring them to do so manually. To see the full problem statement and desired outcomes for this challenge, visit the Visual AI for Space Robotics Obstacle Detection program page.
Funding Amount
Funding for this challenge is being provided via two phases:
Phase one: Provides a maximum allotment of funding for successful candidates of $150,000 in the form of a six-month contract. This challenge is offering an estimated number of two contracts for phase one.
Phase two: Provides a maximum amount of $1 million in the form of a 24-month contract. There will only be one contract available for phase two. Please note: only successful phase one applicants will be invited to submit a proposal for phase two funding.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for this challenge, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Is an incorporated Canadian for-profit company;
- Has fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees;
- Conducts R&D activities within Canada’s borders;
- 50% or more of FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work;
- 50% or more of the Bidder’s annual wages, salaries, and fees must be paid to employees and contractors who spend most of their time working in Canada; and
- 50% or more of the Bidder’s senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence.
Program Timelines
This challenge opened on September 2, 2022, and is currently accepting proposals until it’s close date at 2pm (ET) on October 28, 2022.
Proximity Sensor System for Space Robotics
For autonomous space manipulator operations to be safe, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is looking for a solution that will prevent collisions with proximity sensing. To improve proximity sensing technologies, the solution must be able to increase mass, power, volume, resolution, and range of coverage.
To see the full problem statement and desired outcomes for this challenge, visit the Proximity Sensor System for Space Robotics program page.
Funding Amount
Funding for this challenge is being provided via two phases:
Phase one: Provides a maximum allotment of funding for successful candidates of $150,000 in the form of a six-month contract. This challenge is offering an estimated number of two contracts for phase one.
Phase two: Provides a maximum amount of $1 million in the form of a 24-month contract. There will only be one contract available for phase two. Please note: only successful phase one applicants will be invited to submit a proposal for phase two funding.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for this challenge, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Is an incorporated Canadian for-profit company;
- Has fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees;
- Conducts R&D activities within Canada’s borders;
- 50% or more of FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work;
- 50% or more of the Bidder’s annual wages, salaries, and fees must be paid to employees and contractors who spend most of their time working in Canada; and
- 50% or more of the Bidder’s senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence.
Program Timelines
This challenge opened on August 19, 2022, and is currently accepting proposals until it’s close date at 2pm (ET) on October 14, 2022.
Government Funding Opportunities for Canadian Scientific Research Projects
Scientific research projects provide significant opportunities for the Canadian economy. To assist in the development of new technologies, products, and systems, the Canadian government offers a variety of funding opportunities in the form of grants, loans, and tax credits.
One of the top Canadian programs for R&D is the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit, which provides over $3 billion in tax credits to Canadian businesses annually. To learn more about this opportunity and opportunities like it, get in touch with our team of professionals today for a free consultation.
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