Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP): How to Apply (Project Types + Costs Covered)

If your work involves public safety, national security, or emergency management, the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) can help fund research and technology projects that government departments need. CSSP is a federal program led by Public Safety Canada and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). It turns science and technology ideas into real solutions for Canadian safety and security problems.

This guide explains how CSSP works, who can apply, what projects are eligible, and which costs are usually covered. It will help you decide if CSSP fits your organization.

How the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) Works

The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) is different from most small business grants. It is challenge-driven and government-led.

Who Can Apply

A government organization must lead the project.
This includes federal departments, provincial ministries, municipal governments, or public safety agencies.
Private companies, SMEs, and startups cannot apply on their own.
Businesses join as project partners, not as lead applicants.
Academic and research institutions often join as collaborators.

If you are a company, your usual role is to:

Develop or test technology
Provide technical expertise
Support pilot projects

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying to CSSP, make sure your team fits the rules:

A government organization must lead the application.
Private companies and academic groups can join, but only as partners.
Your project must answer a safety or security challenge listed in the call for proposals.
All partners need to agree on their roles and responsibilities before applying.

Reading the official call for proposals is important. Each call may have extra eligibility rules or focus areas.

CSSP Project Types: What Gets Funded

CSSP funds projects that solve public safety and security challenges. The government defines these challenges and shares them through official calls.

1. Call for Proposals (Most Common)

This is the main way CSSP funds projects.

Open, competitive calls
Challenges are published publicly
Projects are chosen based on relevance, technical strength, and impact

Past focus areas include:

Protecting critical infrastructure
Cybersecurity and digital threats
Emergency response and disaster resilience
Border security and detection technologies
Countering chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) threats

2. Targeted Investments

The government finds a specific gap or need
CSSP funds a solution for that need
There may be little or no open competition

3. Technology Acquisitions

CSSP may buy or test new technologies
This helps the government see if a tool works before using it more widely

Most businesses join through Calls for Proposals. Building strong partnerships is key.

CSSP Funding Amounts and Cost Coverage

How Much Funding Is Available?

CSSP does not list a set funding limit per project.

Funding depends on:
- The size of the project
- How complex the work is
- How long it will take
- The number of partners

Some projects get a few hundred thousand dollars. Larger projects can get more.

Costs Typically Covered by CSSP

CSSP funding is usually non-repayable. It can cover:

Labour costs (researchers, engineers, technical staff)
Professional and consulting fees
Equipment and materials (prototyping, software, sensors)
Testing, trials, and demonstrations
Travel costs (only if needed for the project)
Data collection and analysis
Reporting and sharing results

Each call explains which expenses are allowed and which are not.

How to Apply to the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP)

Step 1: Watch for Active Calls

CSSP calls are not always open.

Calls open and close at different times
Announcements appear on CanadaBuys

Step 2: Build a Government-Led Team

Before you apply:

Find a government organization willing to lead
Decide roles for business and academic partners
Make sure your solution fits the challenge

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly find federal programs that use partnership funding.

Step 3: Prepare Your Proposal

You will need:

A clear explanation of the safety or security problem
Your technical approach and new ideas
Project milestones and what you will deliver
A budget breakdown
Risk assessment
Partner roles and how you will work together

Step 4: Evaluation and Selection

Proposals are judged on:

How well they match government needs
Technical quality
Value for money
How ready the solution is for real use

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying as a private company alone
CSSP requires a government lead. Applications without one are not eligible.
Ignoring the challenge details
Good technology must solve the exact problem in the call.
Underestimating the teamwork needed
Projects with many partners need clear plans for working together.
Missing the call deadlines
CSSP calls are only open for a short time. Missing the window means waiting for the next one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) currently open?
Calls for proposals open and close at different times. Check CanadaBuys and Government of Canada sites for updates.

Q: Can private companies apply directly to CSSP?
No. A government organization must lead. Companies join as partners.

Q: How much funding does CSSP provide per project?
Amounts depend on project size and needs. There is no public maximum. Each approved project gets funding based on its budget.

Q: What types of projects does CSSP fund?
CSSP funds science and technology projects that solve public safety and security problems, from prototypes to field tests.

Q: Is CSSP funding repayable or taxable?
CSSP funding is usually non-repayable and counts as a government contribution.

GrantHub tracks active federal, provincial, and sector-specific grant programs across Canada, including partnership-based R&D funding like CSSP, so you can see which ones fit your role and industry.

What to Do Next

The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) is best for organizations ready to work with government on real safety and security challenges. If you’re a business, start by finding the right public-sector partner and watch for the next call for proposals on CanadaBuys or government sites.

To explore other programs that fund applied R&D and public-interest innovation, see also:

Repayable vs Non-Repayable Business Funding in Canada: Program Examples Explained
How to Find R&D Partners Using Canada’s Research Facilities Navigator
How to Prepare Financial Statements for Grant Applications in Canada

Knowing which funding options fit your business makes it easier to apply for CSSP and similar programs.

Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP): How to Apply (Project Types + Costs Covered)