Canadian Space Agency

Deep Space Food Challenge

Back to all challenges
challenge banner

Process & Prizes

  • Phase 1 – Challenge Launch and Design Application Intake

    January 12, 2021

    Applicants with a design for an advanced food production technology concept are invited to register their interest and apply to the Challenge. The deadline to apply is July 30, 2021, at 5:00 pm Central Time. At this phase, applicants are competing for CAD $30,000 in grant funding and the opportunity to become a Semi-Finalist entering into Phase 2 of the Challenge.

    Note: Independent of the actual submissions, interested applicants may register their interest to apply to the Challenge and subscribe to be notified of new challenge information as it becomes available. Registration of interest benefits include notification of newly released challenge documentation/references, challenge related events, invitations to participate in learning events or webinars and potential networking opportunities. Registration of interest is optional and can be done by completing the registration of interest form.

  • Phase 2 – Up to 10 Semi-Finalists Will Test Their Prototype

    Fall 2021

    Up to 10 of the most promising food production technology designs will be selected to move on to Phase 2 of the Challenge. These Semi-Finalists will have a year to build a food production technology prototype (equivalent to a TRL 4 ) and demonstrate the prototype during a Kitchen-Level demonstration at an appropriate facility in Fall 2022. Teams will also provide samples of food outputs (e.g., tangible nutritional products) from the prototype, and may be asked to provide a vision for future potential application of the technology in a terrestrial context. Semi-Finalists are competing for CAD $100,000 in grant funding and the opportunity to become a Finalist entering Phase 3 of the Challenge. Other non-monetary benefits may be offered to participants at this stage.

    Note: In the Canadian Challenge, only Semi-Finalists selected in Phase 1 have the ability to participate in Phase 2.

  • Phase 3 – Up to 4 Finalists Will Build a Full System Demonstration

    Spring 2023

    Up to four Finalists whose prototypes had the most impressive performance in Phase 2 will be selected to move on to Phase 3. At this stage, Finalists will have 12 months to build a full-scale food production technology and demonstrate the technology at an appropriate facility. Teams may be asked to provide a plan for future application of the demonstrated technology in a terrestrial context. Finalists at this stage are competing to become the Grand Prize Winner who will receive CAD $380,000 in grant funding. Other non-monetary benefits may be offered to participants at this stage.

  • Canadian Grand Prize Winner Selected

    Spring 2024

    A Canadian Grand Prize Winner will be selected from among the Finalists and announced in Spring 2024.

Up to 10 Prizes of CAD $30,000

Open to all eligible innovators submitting a Phase 1 concept application.

Up to 4 Prizes of CAD $100,000

Open to all Semi-Finalists participating in Phase 2.

Grand Prize of CAD $380,000

Open to all Finalists participating in Phase 3.

Note: The number of winners and Canadian prize amounts may vary depending on the number of applications received. Overall Prize amounts per phase will not be less than what is described above.

Please refer to the Applicant Guide for a more detailed description of the application, process, prize amounts, and challenge stages.

Challenge details

Who can apply?

  • Businesses or other for-profit organizations in Canada;
  • Not-for-profit organizations in Canada;
  • Indigenous organizations and groups located in Canada;
  • Post-secondary/academic institutions located in Canada; and
  • Individuals or groups of individuals based in Canada.

Individuals or groups of individuals are encouraged to submit an application to the challenge, but in order to be eligible to receive prizes, they will be required to establish a Canadian legal entity (such as a corporation or a not-for-profit organization) capable of entering into binding agreements in Canada.

Key Dates

  • Phase 1 – Design Report Deadline: July 30, 2021
  • Up to 10 Semi-Finalists Announced: November 9, 2021
  • Phase 2 – Kitchen Demonstration Deadline:January 31, 2023
  • Up to 4 Finalists Announced: Spring 2023
  • Phase 3 – Full System Demonstration Deadline: Winter 2024
  • Canadian Grand Prize Winner Announced: Spring 2024

Prizes

  • Up to 10 Prizes of CAD $30,000 open to all eligible innovators submitting a Phase 1 concept application.
  • Up to 4 Prizes of CAD $100,000 open to all Semi-Finalists participating in Phase 2.
  • Grand Prize of CAD $380,000 open to all Finalists participating in Phase 3.

Note: The number of winners and prize amounts may vary depending on the applications received. For each phase, prize amounts will not be less than the amount per winner indicated above.