Request for Proposals: Targeted Engagement Grants Program

The Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) Targeted Engagement Grants provide funding for defence and security policy–related projects, including conferences, workshops, research, and publications. Canada’s Department of National Defence offers two funding streams: the main Targeted Engagement Grants (up to CAD 100,000) and the Young MINDS Initiative (up to CAD 10,000 for undergraduate and master’s students). The competition deadline is 26 October 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST). The MINDS Targeted Engagement Grants support projects related to defence and security policy. Applicants are expected to design projects that help achieve MINDS Program objectives and support policy dialogue, research, or decision-making. Projects must also align with one or more MINDS Defence Policy Challenges.

The program includes two funding streams:

The source states that funding is awarded to applicants with the highest evaluation scores. Not specified in the source: the total program budget/pool and the number of awards per competition.

You can apply if you:

Applicants at the undergraduate or master’s level of study are only eligible to apply through the Young MINDS Initiative. To qualify, you must: If you are conducting social science research involving any of the following, you must obtain approval from the Social Science Research Review Board (SSRRB):

Contact for SSRRB: [contact details removed]

Not specified in the source: whether approval is required for all project types or only for the specific social science research cases above (the source frames it as conditional on conducting such research).

Your project must:

Supported project examples (from the funding stream description) include: Not specified in the source: the detailed list of MINDS Defence Policy Challenges and which specific themes are prioritized beyond the requirement to align with one or more. This grant supports work that helps advance defence and security policy thinking in Canada by funding activities that can translate analysis and dialogue into decision-relevant outputs. Because projects must align with MINDS Program objectives and specific Defence Policy Challenges—and are assessed using criteria such as Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) and innovation—the funding is structured to encourage policy-relevant research and engagement.

Note: Undergraduate and master’s students are only eligible to apply to the Young MINDS Initiative.

Applications received after this date and time will not be accepted. Application guide and forms: The source instructs applicants to review a newly updated Application Guide and Form, but no direct link is provided in the supplied text. Applicants should use the official MINDS page and referenced materials.

1) What is the deadline for the MINDS Targeted Engagement Grants?

The application deadline is 26 October 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST). Applications received after this time will not be accepted.

2) How much funding can applicants receive?

For the main stream, applicants can receive up to CAD 100,000. For the Young MINDS Initiative, eligible undergraduate and master’s students can receive up to CAD 10,000.

3) Can international applicants apply?

Yes. The source states that applicants based in Canada or internationally can apply.

4) Are government employees eligible to apply?

No. Employees of federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, or Indigenous government departments and agencies are not eligible. Members of the CAF are also not eligible, except for Class A Reservists. 5) Can undergraduate or master’s students apply to the main Targeted Engagement Grants? No. Undergraduate and master’s applicants are only eligible to apply through the Young MINDS Initiative.

6) Is SSRRB approval required for all projects?

Not for all projects as written. SSRRB approval is required if you are conducting social science research involving DND civilian employees, CAF members or their families, applicants to the CAF, or Canadian Cadet organization members.

7) Where do I send my application?

Email your completed application to [contact details removed]. If your project can align with MINDS objectives and one or more Defence Policy Challenges, review the newly updated application guide and submit the correct form to [contact details removed] before 26 October 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST). Also confirm whether your activities trigger the SSRRB research approval requirement before submitting. For more information, visit Government of Canada.