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 up to $150,000 in support to develop a proof of concept.
- If your proof of concept is approved, you could receive up to $1 million in support to develop a prototype.
- If the developed innovation solves the Government of Canada's challenge, we could be your first buyer.
Proposed solutions
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Open challenges
Low-cost sensor system for patient monitoring
The NRC is seeking a low cost system (unit cost <$20) that can continuously measure temperature, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate, and transmit this information wirelessly to a base station thereby allowing monitoring of ambulatory patients in locales including ERs, general wards, and homes.
Challenge sponsor: National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
Funding Mechanism: Grant
Opening date: January 27, 2020
Closing date: April 16, 2020, 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Prospective applicants should refer to the Innovative Solutions Canada Grant Instructions and Procedures document.
AI Software for Photonics Semiconductor Fabrication
NRC is seeking a software solution that will, through the use of models and data analysis, predict and control the wavelength of a grown semiconductor structure during its fabrication.
Challenge sponsor: National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: January 27, 2020
Closing date: April 16, 2020, 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Nanocomposite Fabrics Production System
The National Research Council is seeking a manufacturing process solution that will produce nanocomposite sheets/fabrics comprised of carbon nanotubes and polymer by the roll in order to make the next generation of high-performance multifunctional fabric for fire protection, energy absorption, electromagnetic shielding, etc.
Challenge sponsor: National Research Council (NRC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: January 27, 2020
Closing date: April 21, 2020, 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Surveying objects across an air-water interface
NRC is seeking a non-intrusive surveying technology that can accurately measure the surface and profile objects in a laboratory setting that are partially or fully submerged under water.
Challenge sponsor: National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: January 27, 2020
Closing date: April 21, 2020, 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Secure and confidential rule matching
The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is seeking a system that would evaluate the pattern matching signatures in insecure environments without revealing either the signatures themselves or the portions of the corpus matched by those signatures.
Challenge sponsor: Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: January 27, 2020
Closing date: April 23, 2020, 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Plastics Challenge — Textiles and Microfibers
Environment and Climate Change Canada is seeking an innovative solution to the challenge of plastic waste from textiles and microfibers in Canada.
Challenge sponsor: Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Funding Mechanism: Grant
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 12, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Prospective applicants should refer to the Innovative Solutions Canada Grant Instructions and Procedures document.
Plastics Challenge — Sustainable Alternatives to Plastic Packaging
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is seeking the development of innovative alternative reusable or recyclable products and/or product systems that can replace one or more "challenging" plastic packaging product(s) that contribute to plastic waste and pollution.
Challenge sponsor: Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Funding Mechanism: Grant
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 12, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Prospective applicants should refer to the Innovative Solutions Canada Grant Instructions and Procedures document.
Plastics Challenge — E-Waste
Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) are seeking a solution that will enable recycling of e-waste plastics and metals in Canada while respecting domestic and international requirements and obligations.
Challenge sponsor: Shared Services Canada (SSC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 12, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Plastics Challenge — In-situ Sensing Technology for Monitoring Microplastics in the Marine Environment
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is seeking an innovative in situ (on site) sensing technology for identification and quantification of microplastics in water, which will enable the development of new techniques for monitoring microplastics in Canadian waters.
Challenge sponsor: National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 12, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Plastics Challenge — Diverting End of Life Vehicle Plastics from Landfills
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) are seeking environmentally acceptable and cost-effective technologies that will enable the diversion of End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) plastics from landfills and their conversion into valuable materials and/or molecules.
Challenge sponsor: National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
Funding Mechanism: Grant
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 14, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Prospective applicants should refer to the Innovative Solutions Canada Grant Instructions and Procedures document.
Plastics Challenge — Recycled Plastic Ceiling Tiles
Global Affairs Canada is seeking a solution that will contribute to the circular economy by recycling plastic into ceiling tiles and that meet a high safety standard with no chemical emissions. The existing ceiling tiles are drop ceiling mineral acoustical tiles. We need something comparable in acoustical, insulating and fire retardant performance, but made with 100% recycled plastic.
Challenge sponsor: Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 19, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Outdoor Air Purifier
Global Affairs Canada is seeking a solution that will aid in the purification of air in areas around GAC buildings where there is excessive smoke and exhaust exposure.
Challenge sponsor: Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 14, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Eco-friendly Waste Converter
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is seeking a simple and eco-friendly way to lower emissions and reduce impact on the environment while managing refuse at GAC sites in Canada and abroad. Solutions currently exist for recyclables and compostable, but GAC is seeking a solution for the waste that is going to landfill.
Challenge sponsor: Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 14, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Energy Producing Window Coverings
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is seeking a window covering that, as well as reducing glare, will contribute to greater energy efficiency and convert solar energy to usable electrical energy.
Challenge sponsor: Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: February 12, 2020
Closing date: May 19, 2020 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Turning pixels into data: Imaging for Accessibility
Public Service and Procurement Canada's (PSPC) Document Imaging Solutions Centre (DISC) is seeking to develop innovative capture solutions to improve accessibility of digitized documents and increase production capabilities, thus providing citizens and government organizations with more cost-effective, accessible and adapted digital information.
Challenge sponsor: Public Service and Procurement Canada
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: February 18, 2020
Closing date: May 21, 2020, 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell
Alternate Format Business Technology Challenge
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is seeking a solution that will result in innovation and efficiency in the production of, and access to, a wide variety of physical and digital alternate format materials for Canadians with print disabilities.
Challenge sponsor: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: February 18, 2020
Closing date: May 21, 2020, 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Closed challenges
| Icon | Challenge | Sponsoring department | Closing date |
|---|---|---|---|
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User-Centric Verifiable Digital Credentials | Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada (TBS) | 2019-11-07 |
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Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine matching | Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) | 2019-10-29 |
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Hybrid Ceramic Powder Processing System | National Research Council (NRC) | 2019-10-29 |
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Stable Liposomes as Drug Carriers | National Research Council (NRC) | 2019-10-29 |
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Data Centre Discovery Tool with Options Analysis | Shared Services Canada (SSC) | 2019-10-24 |
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Identification of Microbial Mixtures | Health Canada | 2019-10-18 |
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Point of Care Diagnostics to combat Antimicrobial resistance | Health Canada | 2019-10-18 |
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Machine learning to improve organ donation rates and make better matches | Health Canada | 2019-10-18 |
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Automated redaction of video recordings for the purposes of Access to Information requests | Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) | 2019-10-16 |
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Plastics Challenge — Development of Next Generation Bio-Based Foam Insulation | Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) | 2019-08-27 |
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Portable Package Auto Sampler | Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) | 2019-07-08 |
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Postal Small Packet and Package Inspection | Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) | 2019-07-08 |
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Kinetic Energy Harvesting on Marine Vessels | Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard | 2019-05-14 |
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Coal Mine Tailings Pond | Public Services and Procurement Canada | 2019-02-19 |
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Tracing the Steel Industry Supply Chain | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) | 2019-02-15 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Up Hands Free Fire Fighting | Department of National Defence (DND) Defence Research and Development Canada Centre for Security Science | 2019-02-07 |
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Marine Biotoxin Detection Devices for Shellfish | Canadian Food Inspection Agency | 2019-01-29 |
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Innovative Device for Plant Pest Surveillance | Canadian Food Inspection Agency | 2019-01-29 |
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Innovative Attractants to Wood Boring Insects | Canadian Food Inspection Agency | 2019-01-29 |
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Audio Quality Enhancements for Remote Interpretation Services | Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) | 2019-01-17 |
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Improving Robot-Environment Interaction | National Research Council (NRC) | 2019-01-14 |
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Moulding of High Performance Composites Materials | National Research Council (NRC) | 2019-01-14 |
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Composite Material Manufacturing Simulation Software | National Research Council (NRC) | 2019-01-14 |
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Preventing Contraband Delivery via Air and Ground | Correctional Services Canada | 2019-01-10 |
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Detection System for Wireless Communication | Correctional Services Canada | 2019-01-08 |
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Plastics Challenge — Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture Gear | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) | 2018-12-20 |
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Life Sign Monitoring System (LSMS) | Correctional Services Canada | 2018-12-20 |
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Improving the Internet Connectivity of Users in Remote Locations | Shared Services Canada (SSC) | 2018-12-17 |
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Enhancing Pedestrian and Cyclist Road Safety | Transport Canada (TC) | 2018-12-17 |
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Scaling Down Precision Agriculture | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) | 2018-12-17 |
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Efficient Soil Sampling Techniques | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) | 2018-12-17 |
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Plastics Challenge — Remove and Manage Ghost Fishing Gear and Marine Debris | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) | 2018-12-13 |
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Plastics Challenge — Improved Compostibility of Bioplastics | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) | 2018-12-13 |
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Plastics Challenge — Construction Waste | Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) | 2018-12-12 |
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Plastics Challenge — Separation of Mixed Plastics | Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) | 2018-12-12 |
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Plastics Challenge — Recycling of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Plastic | Transport Canada (TC) | 2018-12-12 |
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Plastics Challenge — Food Packaging | Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) | 2018-12-12 |
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Earth Observation Images Processing and Management System | Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) | 2018-10-01 |
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Innovative Platform to Facilitate Evidence-Informed Decision-Making | Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) | 2018-10-01 |
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Haptic System | National Research Council of Canada (NRC) | 2018-09-20 |
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Electroencephalography (EEG) and Vital Signs Integrated Existing Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) sets | National Research Council of Canada (NRC) | 2018-09-20 |
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Measurement of Cold Spray | National Research Council of Canada (NRC) | 2018-09-20 |
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Platform Corrosion Detection and Prevention | Department of National Defence (DND) | 2018-08-23 |
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High Energy Lasers | Department of National Defence (DND) | 2018-08-23 |
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Night Vision Ergonomics Enhancement | Department of National Defence (DND) | 2018-08-23 |
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Additive Manufacturing for High Performance Systems | Department of National Defence (DND) | 2018-08-23 |
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Connected Vehicle and Engineered Surfaces Challenge | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | 2018-02-09 |
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3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing: Metal Powder Bed Density Test Equipment | National Research Council of Canada | 2018-03-20 |
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Engineered Surfaces Challenge | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | 2018-04-04 |
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Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics for Advanced Autonomous Space Systems | Canadian Space Agency | 2018-04-11 |
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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 |
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