AIAC is exploring new ways of sharing time-sensitive opportunities with our members and industry stakeholders. Be sure to check out some of the ongoing funding, procurement and collaboration opportunities below!

Funding Available for Select Industry Events

Did you know, through our partnership with the CanExport Program, AIAC members can access funding to attend select international events, including:

Farnborough International Airshow
July 20-24, 2026

Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.




The new Canada at Farnborough website is now live!

If you are planning to attend the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, this is your opportunity to join Canada’s delegation. Joining Canada’s delegation is free and provides access to a range of benefits, including the latest information on Canada’s presence, exclusive services and invitations to Canada-led events.

Procurement and market-access platforms

Government of Canada Opportunities

[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.
[DEADLINE APPROACHING] IDEaS Competitive Project: Turning Urban Data into Real-Time Insight Through AI
The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces are seeking AI-driven solutions that can repurpose existing urban infrastructure as a distributed sensing network to support real-time situational awareness and anomaly detection.
  • Funding: Up to $6.75M in phased development funding
  • Focus: AI-enabled sensing, urban situational awareness, anomaly detection and counter-UAS applications
  • Deadline: July 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT
[DEADLINE APPROACHING] IDEaS Competitive Project: Reliable AI Sensor Fusion for Real-World Missions
The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces are seeking AI solutions that embed compliance-by-design into multi-sensor, multi-domain fusion workflows.
  • Funding: Up to $6.75M in phased development funding
  • Focus: AI-enabled sensor fusion, ISR, data compliance, classification rules and tactical decision support
  • Deadline: July 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT
[DEADLINE APPROACHING] IDEaS Innovation Network: Cognition and Trust in Human-Autonomy Teams
The Department of National Defence is establishing an innovation network to advance real-time dynamic calibration of cognition and trust between humans and autonomous systems in complex operational environments.
  • Focus: Human-machine teaming, autonomy, decision support and trust calibration
  • Program: IDEaS Innovation Networks
  • Deadline: June 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
[NEW] IDEaS Challenge: Sentinel Shield – Wide-Area Detection for Counter-UAS
The Department of National Defence is seeking innovative solutions to enable wide-area detection and early warning against uncrewed aerial systems, supporting enhanced situational awareness and threat response.
  • Focus: Detection, tracking and early warning of UAS threats across large operational areas
  • Program: IDEaS (Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security)
  • Deadline: June 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT
[NEW] Request for Information: Worldwide Satellite Communications – Protected MILSATCOM Tactical Project
The Defence Investment Agency is requesting industry information and feedback regarding the Worldwide Satellite Communications Protected Military Satellite Communications Tactical project.
  • Notice Type: Request for Information
  • Focus: Protected tactical military satellite communications
  • RFI Submission Deadline: June 26, 2026
  • RFI Closing Date: July 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT
[NEW] Innovative Solutions Canada Challenges
Innovative Solutions Canada has launched several challenge opportunities relevant to aerospace, defence, space, robotics, quantum technologies and advanced systems development.
[NEW] Mitacs Accelerate Defence & Security Call
Mitacs, in collaboration with the Department of National Defence, has launched a new funding call supporting applied research and innovation projects that advance Canadian sovereign capabilities identified in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.
  • Eligible Areas: Aerospace, space, sensors, training and simulation, digital systems (AI, quantum and cyber), specialized manufacturing, uncrewed systems and Arctic sovereignty
  • Who Can Participate: Canadian post-secondary institutions partnering with Canadian businesses and other organizations contributing to Canada’s defence industrial base
  • Application Deadline: August 17, 2026
Projects may receive support through Mitacs Accelerate internships involving Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral researchers, helping organizations advance mission-relevant R&D while building Canada’s future defence and security workforce.

Procurement and market-access platforms:

NATO Funding, Procurement Opportunities & Market Access Opportunities

NATO Edge 2026
Registration is open for NATO Edge 2026, taking place November 17-19, 2026 in İzmir, Türkiye. The event brings together senior NATO leaders, national representatives and industry executives for keynotes, strategic panels, business briefings, breakout sessions and networking across a 200-exhibitor innovation floor.
  • Dates: November 17-19, 2026
  • Early Bird Deadline: June 12, 2026
[NEW] NATO DIANA 2027 Challenge Call
NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is seeking dual-use technologies to address Alliance defence and security priorities. Selected innovators will participate in a six-month accelerator program beginning in January 2027 and receive funding, testing opportunities and access to NATO end users and investors.
  • Funding: €100,000 for selected innovators, with potential follow-on funding of up to €300,000 through Mission Track
  • Eligibility: Companies and innovators from NATO member nations
  • Application Deadline: July 3, 2026 at 12:00 BST
2027 Challenge Areas:
These challenge areas align closely with Canadian strengths in aerospace, defence, autonomy, AI, sensing, space technologies, advanced manufacturing and cyber resilience.
[UPDATED] ACT Request for Information: Enhanced Tactical Connectivity (eTacC)
Allied Command Transformation has issued an amended Request for Information for the Allied Future Surveillance and Control Enhanced Tactical Connectivity capability. The RFI seeks input from NATO nations, industry and academia on communications, networking and data transformation solutions for tactical edge connectivity.
  • Reference: RFI-ACT-SACT-04-2026
  • Focus: Tactical connectivity, communications gateways, networking, data transformation and multi-domain interoperability
  • Questions Deadline: May 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET
  • Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET
NATO NIAG 2026 Study Program
The 2026 NATO Industry Advisory Group (NIAG) study program has been approved by the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD). These studies provide industry with an opportunity to help inform future NATO capability development across key defence and security domains.

Highlighted studies include:
NIAG Exploratory Group meetings are being held in person at NATO HQ in Brussels. Participation and access requirements vary by study and may include security clearance requirements. For participation details, contact the Canadian NIAG Head of Delegation, Nicolas Todd, at Nicolas@defenceandsecurity.ca.
Procurement Opportunity: NATO Simulation and Exercise Support (JFTC)
NATO’s Joint Force Training Centre is preparing to issue a procurement opportunity for Computer Assisted Exercise Technical Force support, including operation of JTLS and JCATS systems in support of NATO training and exercise activities.
  • Expression of Interest Deadline: July 13, 2026
  • Security: Eligible bidders must hold a NATO Facility Security Clearance, and proposed personnel must hold NATO SECRET clearance
NATO Procurement Opportunity: Multi-Domain and Functional SME Support for JFTC Exercises
NATO’s Joint Force Training Centre is preparing to issue an Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity contract for contractor Subject Matter Expert support across multi-domain and functional focus areas in support of computer-assisted and command post exercises.
  • Reference: RFP-ACT-JFTC 07-26
  • Anticipated Solicitation Release Date: May 8, 2026
  • Anticipated Solicitation Closing Date: June 15, 2026
  • Expertise Sought: Military engineering, medical, CBRN, maritime, cyber, space, SOF and strategic communications
  • Security: Bidders, partners and subcontractors must hold NATO Facility Security Clearance; proposed personnel must hold NATO SECRET clearance