Canadian Unmanned and Autonomous Technologies R&D Partnering Delegation to Taiwan

Request for expression of interest

Global Affairs Canada, through the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, invites you to apply to participate in the Canadian Unmanned and Autonomous Technologies R&D Partnering Delegation to Taiwan under the Innovation Partnership Program (IPP).

The activity will take place in person from January 25 to 28, 2027, in Taiwan.

Interested companies must apply no later than October 11, 2026.

The objective of the delegation is to develop co-innovation partnerships between Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in unmanned and autonomous technologies and Taiwanese organizations.

 The delegation will connect Canadian SMEs with Taiwanese companies, manufacturers, system integrators, research institutions, academia and government stakeholders to explore opportunities for technology adaptation and validation, co-development, manufacturing and commercialization.

Examples of co-innovation collaboration include:

• validation of Canadian technologies in the Taiwanese market
• adaptation of Canadian technologies to meet the Taiwanese market characteristics
• co-development of new products and/or services combining Canadian and Taiwanese technologies

We are seeking innovative AI-enabled technologies and solutions including, but not limited to:

• uncrewed systems, autonomous vehicles and robotics for land, air and sea
• AI-enabled autonomy and multi-vehicle coordination technologies
• sensing, detection, computer vision and situational awareness technologies
• resilient communications and networking technologies
• positioning and navigation technologies for challenging environments
• advanced power and energy solutions for uncrewed systems
• lightweight material solutions for uncrewed systems

To participate in this delegation to Taiwan, you must:

• be a profit-oriented small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), incorporated in Canada, with up to 500 full-time equivalent employees
• have previous experience in or working towards commercializing technology for domestic or international markets 
• own or co-own the intellectual property of the technology being presented
• have the capacity and interest to adapt, validate and/or co-develop technology with Taiwanese partners
• be committed to establishing or expanding activities in the Taiwan market
• have sufficient working capital and human resources to undertake a multi-year co-innovation project and commercialize the results

For co-innovation and commercial collaboration opportunities, participating technologies should be supported by trusted, likeminded supply chain partners. Participating companies should also ensure that their technologies are eligible for export to Taiwan and obtain any required Canadian export permits, where applicable. Blue uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) listing or Green UAS certification is preferred.

Specific dates and times of program elements are subject to change.

 Monday, November 2, 2026

• Pre-visit introductory virtual briefing session

Monday, January 25, 2027

• Program briefing, Taiwan market overview and intellectual property protection
• Canadian Unmanned and Autonomous Technologies Innovation Forum & B2B Meetings (research institute focused)

Tuesday, January 26, 2027

• Canadian Unmanned and Autonomous Technologies Innovation Forum & B2B Meetings (Industry-focused)

Wednesday, January 27, 2027

• Site visits to companies and research organizations
• Networking event

Thursday, January 28, 2027

• Debrief and follow-up meetings

Government-backed growth across air, sea and land

Taiwan is scaling up development and use of unmanned and autonomous technologies. Its NT$44.2 billion (CAD 1.9 billion) Unmanned Vehicle Industry Development Program runs from 2025-2030 and was fully approved in August 2026. The program funds technology development, manufacturing, testing and market expansion.

Defence investment is also rising. The 2027 defence budget is a record NT$1.1225 trillion (CAD 48.6 billion), up 18% and equal to 3.01% of GDP. Taiwan has set a target of 5% of GDP by 2030. Domestic procurement timelines remain under review.

Air: scale and export momentum

Taiwan's UAV supply chain now spans 267 companies. Industry output reached NT$12.9 billion (CAD 560 million) in 2025, more than 2.5 times the prior year. Meanwhile, exports of complete drones grew 21-fold to NT$2.95 billion (CAD 128 million).

Sea: a new national program

The Ocean Technology and Industry Development Program (2027–2030), approved in August 2026, prioritizes underwater communications, autonomous unmanned vehicles, advanced sensing, smart vessels and smart ports. Taiwan's blue economy generated NT$1.5 trillion (CAD 65 billion) in 2024, with marine engineering up 32% and marine energy up 84%.

Land: an opening market

A NT$20 billion (CAD 870 million) national robotics program runs through 2029, with new R&D centres opened in 2026 targeting inspection, disaster response and logistics, alongside defence ground robotics.

Advanced manufacturing and trusted supply chains

Taiwan is a global leader in semiconductors, information and communications technologies (ICT), precision machinery, metal processing, and systems integration, underpinned by a deliberate strategy to strengthen and diversify supply chains with trusted and likeminded partners.

The Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to be part of the delegation will be invited to apply for funding. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs, including: 

• economy airfare 
  
• local transportation 
  
• accommodation 
  
• meals 
• conference registration fees  

Consult the Innovation Partnership Program (IPP) Applicant Guide for the complete list of eligible expenses. To access the IPP Applicant Guide, contact an IPP representative at IPP-PPI@international.gc.ca. 

1. Click the “Apply" button to access the online application form. Select the official language of your choice and the delegation you want to apply to, then complete all questions.
2. Completed applications must be submitted online no later than Sunday, October 11, 2026.
3. Global Affairs Canada, through the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, will select the Canadian companies that will participate in the delegation. Selected applicants will be notified no later than Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
4. Selection of participants is based on a range of factors, including their alignment with the objectives of the IPP, their potential to translate partnership opportunities into successful co-innovation outcomes, and national security considerations.
5. Selected participants will attend an introductory meeting on Monday, November 2, 2026.
6. The selected companies will be invited to apply for financial support for travel expenses. 

If you have any questions concerning the application process, please see the IPP web page  or email the IPP team at IPP-PPI@international.gc.ca.