Aerospace Opportunities Hub

Government of Canada Opportunities

[DEADLINE APPROACHING] Team Canada Trade Mission to India – Aerospace & Space Priority Sector

The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India from October 12–17, 2026, supporting efforts to expand commercial relations and bilateral trade between Canada and India.

Aerospace and space is one of six priority sectors for the mission. While the deadline for companies seeking pre-arranged B2B meetings has passed, Canadian companies and organizations can still apply to participate in the mission without the B2B meeting component.

• Dates: October 12–17, 2026

• Location: Mumbai and Bengaluru, India

• Priority Sector: Aerospace and space

• Application Deadline: August 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT (participation without B2B meetings)

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[DEADLINE EXTENDED] CanExport SMEs Funding Program

The application deadline for the 2026–2027 CanExport SMEs funding program has been extended to August 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.

CanExport SMEs helps Canadian small and medium-sized businesses diversify exports and expand into new international markets through funding for eligible business development activities.

Important: Review what’s changed this year before applying.

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Transport Canada Consultation – RPAS Remote Identification, Community-Based Organizations & Designated Airspace

Transport Canada is seeking stakeholder feedback on NPA 2026-005 – RPAS: Remote Identification, Community-Based Organizations, and Designated Airspace. The proposed amendments would introduce Remote Identification requirements for drones, tailored rules for recreational and research drone organizations, and new mechanisms for managing RPAS access to airspace.

• Focus: Remote Identification, RPAS organizations and designated airspace

• Comment Deadline: September 9, 2026

• Submit Comments: Complete the official survey or email TC.RPASInfo-InfoSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca

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[NEW] MINERVA Initiative – Uncrewed Ground System for Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Innovative Solutions Canada is seeking Phase 2 prototype proposals under the MINERVA Initiative for uncrewed ground systems designed to support surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

• Focus: Uncrewed ground systems, surveillance, reconnaissance, autonomy, sensing and mission systems

• Phase: Phase 2 – Prototype Development

• Maximum Funding: Up to $500,000

• Application Deadline: September 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET

This challenge may be relevant to companies with capabilities in autonomy, robotics, ISR, sensing, communications, navigation and systems integration.

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[NEW] Consultation: Canada–Türkiye Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

Canada and Türkiye have formally launched negotiations toward a comprehensive free trade agreement aimed at expanding bilateral trade and strengthening commercial ties between the two countries.

As Canada develops its negotiating priorities, Global Affairs Canada is seeking input from Canadian businesses, industry associations and other stakeholders on their interests and priorities for a potential agreement.

• Consultation Deadline: September 14, 2026

AIAC members with questions or feedback are encouraged to contact AIAC Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs Philip Baldwin.

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[NEW] Innovative Solutions Canada: Infrared Quantum Light for Material Characterization and Secure Communication

Innovative Solutions Canada is seeking advanced quantum photonics solutions using infrared quantum light for applications in material characterization and secure communications.

• Focus: Quantum technologies, photonics, advanced sensing, material characterization and secure communications

• Maximum Phase 2 Funding: Up to $1.5 million

• Application Deadline: September 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET

This opportunity may be relevant to companies and research organizations working in quantum technologies, photonics, secure communications, sensing, defence electronics and space applications.

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[NEW] MINERVA Initiative – Arctic Uncrewed Air System

Innovative Solutions Canada is seeking Phase 2 prototype proposals under the MINERVA Initiative for uncrewed air systems capable of supporting operations in Canada’s Arctic environment.

• Focus: Arctic UAS, autonomy, ISR, sensing and operations in remote and extreme environments

• Phase: Phase 2 – Prototype Development

• Maximum Funding: Up to $500,000

• Application Deadline: September 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET

This opportunity is particularly relevant to companies with capabilities in uncrewed aviation, Arctic operations, autonomy, ISR, communications, sensing and related aerospace technologies.

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[NEW] ISED Consultation: Spectrum Access for Launch Vehicles and Variable Trajectory Spacecraft

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is consulting on a proposed policy and licensing framework for the use of the 2025–2110 MHz and 2200–2290 MHz spectrum bands, including their use by launch vehicles and variable trajectory spacecraft.

The consultation provides stakeholders with an opportunity to inform ISED’s approach to spectrum access and licensing for emerging Canadian space activities.

• Comment Deadline: September 30, 2026

• Reply Comment Deadline: November 4, 2026

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[NEW] Innovate Calgary Aerospace Accelerator Program

Innovate Calgary is accepting applications for its Aerospace Accelerator Program, providing funding and specialized support to help early-stage aerospace companies develop, commercialize and scale their businesses.

• Funding: Up to $200,000 in grant funding, including salary support for one founder

• Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM

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[NEW] IDEaS Challenge: Minefield Breaching – Detect & Destroy

The Department of National Defence (DND), through the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, is seeking innovative technologies to improve the ability of military forces to detect, characterize and breach complex minefields and obstacle systems.

The challenge may be particularly relevant to companies developing autonomous systems, sensing and reconnaissance technologies, AI-enabled detection, robotics, navigation, C4ISR and other technologies that can support safer and more effective operations in contested environments.

• Streams: Detection and Reconnaissance; Breaching Solutions

• Funding: Up to $1 million per selected proposal, with $10 million in total funding anticipated

• Eligibility: Canadian incorporated companies, universities and educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and provincial, territorial and municipal government organizations

• Application Deadline: October 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET

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[NEW] IDEaS Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Urban Sandbox 2027

The Department of National Defence, through the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, is seeking innovative technologies capable of detecting, tracking and identifying micro and mini uncrewed aerial systems in urban environments, with the potential to integrate into broader command and control systems.

Selected innovators will be invited to demonstrate their technologies during the CUAS Urban Sandbox in downtown Ottawa, providing access to an urban test environment and opportunities to engage directly with Canadian and allied defence and security representatives.

• Areas of Interest: Innovative CUAS detection technologies, including beyond-visual-line-of-sight capabilities and low-cost sensor networks

• Prize Funding: Up to $1.75 million in total prizes for promising solutions

• Sandbox Dates: July 26–30, 2027

• Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET