MINDS – Targeted Engagement Grants
Aboriginal Peoples
Arctic and Northern Regions
Community, Regional & Enterprise Development
Creative Arts, Culture and Heritage
Environment, Energy and Natural Resources
Governance and Public Policy
Information and Communication Technology
Oceans, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Social Justice
Well-being, Health and Biomedical Discovery
Deadlines
Academic Unit: Inquire with unit
Memorial Deadline: Wednesday 1st, April 2026
External Deadline: Tuesday 7th, April 2026
Description
The Targeted Engagement Grant program aims to drive innovation in defence policy thinking and to foster the next generation of defence and security experts. We are proud to support the exchange of ideas and a diversity of researchers in the domain of security and defence. New forward thinking research and activities are extremely valuable for National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces in the development of evidence-based policy.
The Targeted Engagement Grant Program provides non-recurring financial support, up to a maximum of $50,000 to fund projects such as conferences, roundtables, workshops, research, and publications. There are two competitions every year, generally in the Spring and Fall.
Requests for funding are assessed primarily on relevance to the Defence Policy Challenges. The use of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+), as well as innovation and the creative use technology is also assessed.
As part of its efforts to foster the next generation of defence and security scholars, MINDS supports undergraduate and master’s students interested in defence and security through the Young MINDS Initiative.
These grants are valued at $10,000 and must be linked to the MINDS Defence Policy Challenges.
Interested candidates must be enrolled in an undergraduate or master’s program at an accredited university, and pursuing a degree in political science, history, international relations, public policy, economics, or be able to demonstrate that their field of study is relevant to defence and security studies. Applicants should be sponsored by a professional academic or recognized expert in the field.
Apply by 11:59pm (PDT) on 7 April 2026.
See here for more information.