Home / By province / Ontario
AI funding in Ontario
There are 10 AI funding programs for businesses in Ontario. Of these, nine were open when we checked on October 15, 2026.
FedDev Ontario in the south and FedNor in the north deliver federal AI adoption funding in Ontario.
Covers project costs
| Program | Type | What it covers | Amount | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC LIFTBusiness Development Bank of Canada | Loan | AI implementation, integration, data infrastructure and automation equipment | Loans of $25,000 to $5MPrincipal can be postponed for up to two years | Canada-wide | OpenOfficial page |
| Regional Artificial Intelligence InitiativeCanada's regional development agencies | Repayable, interest-free | AI adoption projects, including outside expertise and installation | Up to 50% of eligible costsRepaid without interest. Minimums vary by region, from $125,000 in southern Ontario | By region | OpenOfficial page |
| Scale AICanada's AI global innovation cluster | Grant | AI adoption projects across a supply or value chain, including contracts with service providers | Up to 40% of eligible expensesNeeds more than one participant, at least one with under 500 staff | Canada-wide | OpenOfficial page |
| Industrial AI Readiness ProgramNGen, with NRC IRAP | Grant | Fees from an AI service provider for a readiness evaluation and implementation plan | Up to $15,000Manufacturers under 500 staff, referred by an IRAP advisor | Canada-wide | OpenOfficial page |
| Critical Industrial Technologies, Sector AdoptionOntario Centre of Innovation | Grant | Sector-wide projects in AI and other critical technologies | Up to $1M of OCI supportFor groups of companies led by a small or medium-sized Ontario business | Ontario | Closed to new projectsOfficial page |
| Digital Modernization and Adoption PlanOntario Centre of Innovation | Grant | A digital adoption plan written by a registered consultant | Up to $15,000For-profit Ontario companies with 1 to 499 staff | Ontario | Open while funds lastOfficial page |
Staff training
| Program | Type | What it covers | Amount | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Job GrantGovernment of Ontario | Grant | Third-party training for your staff, including AI skills | Up to $10,000 per traineeEmployers under 100 staff pay at least one-sixth. Larger employers pay half | Ontario | OpenOfficial page |
Research and new products
| Program | Type | What it covers | Amount | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR&ED tax incentiveCanada Revenue Agency | Tax credit | Experimental development where the technical outcome is uncertain | 15% basic credit, 35% enhancedSome corporations get the enhanced rate, and some get it as a refund | Canada-wide | OpenOfficial page |
| NRC IRAPNational Research Council of Canada | Grant | Research and development of technology-driven products and services | Set project by projectIncorporated, for-profit companies with up to 500 staff | Canada-wide | OpenOfficial page |
| Mitacs AccelerateMitacs | Grant | A graduate or postdoctoral research intern working on your project | $15,000 internship, of which you pay $7,500Four or six months per internship | Canada-wide | OpenOfficial page |
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
FedDev Ontario takes applications until January 19, 2027, or November 24, 2026 for projects starting before March 31, 2027. Adoption projects run $125,000 to $5M and need five full-time staff and three years of operations. In northern Ontario, FedNor assesses applications as they arrive.
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.
Critical Industrial Technologies, Sector Adoption
For advanced manufacturing, agri-food, construction and mining. Closed to new projects when we checked.
Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan
Covers the plan only. It does not cover the build. First come, first served.
Ontario Job Grant
Pays for training by an outside Ontario trainer. It does not cover vendor product training or the build.
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.
Other provinces and territories
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut.
Tell us what you want to change
Answer a few questions about the project. We reply with a first scope and the funding that fits it. Funding is never guaranteed, and we tell you when a program is not a good fit.