CSA Announces Space Technology Development Program Upcoming Opportunity

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has announced an upcoming opportunity round for the Space Technology Development Program (STDP).

Space Technology Development Program AO5

This announcement of opportunity is similar to last years AO4 however with the addition of an additional category, AO5.4 Space R&D – Low TRL.

The notice the CSA posted on its website and through the PWGSC Buy and Sell website, states the objective of of the notice:

  • 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 centres (not mandatory but encouraged).

Those interested should reply by August 24, 2018. The announcement of opportunity itself is expected in the September-October timeframe.

The CSA also notes that “eligible projects do not include application development software and activities related to Earth Observation and Satellite Telecommunication data. Specifically in relation to earth observation data, the CSA manages a separate program entitled the Earth Observation Applications Development Program (EOADP), which covers such activities.”

Here are the four categories for AO5.

AO5.1 Space R&D – High TRL: Non-repayable contributions of up to $1 million for research and development (R&D) space projects with higher technology readiness level (TRL). The start technology readiness level for these projects is expected to be between TRL4 and TRL6.

The R&D projects within this category are those whose potential for expected economic benefits is in the short and medium term, between 2 and 5 years.

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

AO5.2 Space R&D – Small Businesses: Non-repayable contributions of up to $250,000 for R&D space projects carried out by small businesses.

The R&D projects within this category are those whose potential for expected economic benefits is in the medium and long term, between 5 to 10 years.

Note: This category is open exclusively to for-profit Canadian small businesses (with up to 50 employees).

AO5.3 Space R&D – Feasibility Studies: Non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000 for feasibility studies related to space system design projects for technologies with strong commercial potential.

The R&D projects within this category are those whose potential for expected economic benefits is in the medium and long term, between 5 to 10 years.

Note: This category is open to all for-profit Canadian businesses.

AO5.4 Space R&D – Low TRL: Non-repayable contributions of up to $500,000 for research and development (R&D) space projects with low TRL. The start TRL for these projects is expected to be between TRL1 and TRL3.

The R&D projects within this category are those whose potential for expected economic benefits is in the medium to long term, between 5 and 10 years.

Note: This category is open to all for-profit Canadian businesses.

AO Notes

The CSA also included the following notes for the AO.

  • 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.
  • The CSA plans to allocate approximately 65% of the total AO budget to the first category (AO5.1), 20% to the second (AO5.2), 5% to the third (AO5.3) and 10% to the fourth (AO5.4).
  • In order to speed up the process, proposals will have to be submitted in a standard template that will be provided and the AOP posting time will be reduced.
  • 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.”

About Marc Boucher

Boucher is an entrepreneur, writer, editor & publisher. He is the founder of SpaceQ Media Inc. and CEO and co-founder of SpaceRef Interactive LLC. Boucher has 20+ years working in various roles in the space industry and a total of 30 years as a technology entrepreneur including creating Maple Square, Canada's first internet directory and search engine.

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