# AI funding in Alberta

> There are eight AI funding programs for businesses in Alberta. Of these, seven were open when we checked on October 15, 2026. PrairiesCan delivers federal AI adoption funding in Alberta.

## Covers project costs

| Program | Type | What it covers | Amount | Limits | Where | Status | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [BDC LIFT](https://cantransform.ca/programs/bdc-lift/) | Loan | AI implementation, integration, data infrastructure and automation equipment | Loans of $25,000 to $5M | Principal can be postponed for up to two years | Canada-wide | Open | https://www.bdc.ca/en/lift |
| [Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative](https://cantransform.ca/programs/regional-artificial-intelligence-initiative/) | Repayable, interest-free | AI adoption projects, including outside expertise and installation | Up to 50% of eligible costs | Repaid without interest. Minimums vary by region, from $125,000 in southern Ontario | By region | Open | https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/regional-artificial-intelligence-initiative |
| [Scale AI](https://cantransform.ca/programs/scale-ai/) | Grant | AI adoption projects across a supply or value chain, including contracts with service providers | Up to 40% of eligible expenses | Needs more than one participant, at least one with under 500 staff | Canada-wide | Open | https://www.scaleai.ca/projects/ |
| [Industrial AI Readiness Program](https://cantransform.ca/programs/ngen-industrial-ai-readiness/) | Grant | Fees from an AI service provider for a readiness evaluation and implementation plan | Up to $15,000 | Manufacturers under 500 staff, referred by an IRAP advisor | Canada-wide | Open | https://www.ngen.ca/funding/challenge/industrial-ai-readiness |

## Staff training

| Program | Type | What it covers | Amount | Limits | Where | Status | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant](https://cantransform.ca/programs/canada-alberta-productivity-grant/) | Grant | Employee training, with digital and technology skills an eligible category | 75% of training costs, up to $5,000 per trainee | Up to $100,000 per employer each year | Alberta | Check intake | https://www.alberta.ca/canada-alberta-productivity-grant |

## Research and new products

| Program | Type | What it covers | Amount | Limits | Where | Status | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [SR&ED tax incentive](https://cantransform.ca/programs/sred-tax-credit/) | Tax credit | Experimental development where the technical outcome is uncertain | 15% basic credit, 35% enhanced | Some corporations get the enhanced rate, and some get it as a refund | Canada-wide | Open | https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program/what-are-sred-tax-incentives.html |
| [NRC IRAP](https://cantransform.ca/programs/nrc-irap/) | Grant | Research and development of technology-driven products and services | Set project by project | Incorporated, for-profit companies with up to 500 staff | Canada-wide | Open | https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation/financial-support-technology-innovation |
| [Mitacs Accelerate](https://cantransform.ca/programs/mitacs-accelerate/) | Grant | A graduate or postdoctoral research intern working on your project | $15,000 internship, of which you pay $7,500 | Four or six months per internship | Canada-wide | Open | https://www.mitacs.ca/our-programs/accelerate/ |

## Notes on each program

- BDC LIFT: The AI track needs $1M or more in revenue, and the equipment track needs $5M. It is a loan, and the AI track requires a paid BDC Advisory Services plan.
- Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative: PrairiesCan takes applications continuously until December 31, 2029 or until the funding is committed. Contributions run $250,000 to $5M and consultancy fees are an eligible cost.
- Scale AI: Not repaid. The project has to involve a partner, such as a supplier, a customer or the firm doing the build.
- Industrial AI Readiness Program: Manufacturers only. First come, first served until funding runs out. Final reports are due at the end of December 2026.
- Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant: Training only. The program page does not say whether intake is open, so confirm before planning around it.
- SR&ED tax incentive: Applies when you are building something technically new. Configuring existing AI tools does not qualify.
- NRC IRAP: Funds your own product development through an IRAP advisor. It does not fund buying an implementation.
- Mitacs Accelerate: Pays an intern's stipend through a university. Useful for research capacity alongside a build.

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We checked these facts against official program pages on October 15, 2026. Only programs with the type "Grant" are grants. You repay a loan or a repayable contribution. Each program decides eligibility and approval. CanTransform is based in Toronto and is not affiliated with any government. Contact: https://cantransform.ca/contact/