# AI funding programs in Canada

> 13 federal and provincial programs a Canadian business can use for an AI project, checked against the official pages on October 15, 2026.

| 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 in most regions | 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/ |
| [ESSOR, Volet 1](https://cantransform.ca/programs/essor-quebec/) | Grant | A digital diagnostic and plan, then its implementation. Outside consultant fees count | 50% of eligible costs | Up to $20,000 for the plan and $50,000 for implementation | Quebec | Open | https://www.investquebec.com/fr/financement/programmes-gouvernementaux/essor/appui-la-concretisation-de-projets-dinvestissement |
| [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 |
| [Critical Industrial Technologies, Sector Adoption](https://cantransform.ca/programs/ontario-critical-industrial-technologies/) | Grant | Sector-wide projects in AI and other critical technologies | Up to $1M of OCI support | For groups of companies led by a small or medium-sized Ontario business | Ontario | Closed to new projects | https://www.citinnovation.ca/program/sector-adoption-programs/ |
| [Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan](https://cantransform.ca/programs/ontario-dmap/) | Grant | A digital adoption plan written by a registered consultant | Up to $15,000 | For-profit Ontario companies with 1 to 499 staff | Ontario | Open while funds last | https://www.oc-innovation.ca/programs/digital-competence-centre/ |
| [Ontario Job Grant](https://cantransform.ca/programs/ontario-job-grant/) | Grant | Third-party training for your staff, including AI skills | Up to $10,000 per trainee | Employers under 100 staff pay at least one-sixth. Larger employers pay half | Ontario | Open | https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-job-grant |
| [B.C. Employer Training Grant](https://cantransform.ca/programs/bc-employer-training-grant/) | Grant | Skills training for current or new employees | 80% of eligible training costs | Up to $10,000 per participant and $300,000 per employer each fiscal year | British Columbia | Open | https://www.workbc.ca/find-loans-and-grants/industry-and-employers/bc-employer-training-grant/whats-new |
| [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 |
| [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/ |

## Common questions

### Is the funding guaranteed?

No. Each program makes its own decision. We recommend only the programs your company fits, and we tell you when none apply.

### Does funding cover the whole project?

Rarely. Programs that share project costs cover up to about half, and the larger ones are repaid.

### Do programs pay for outside help?

Some do. BDC LIFT, the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative and ESSOR in Quebec count outside implementation costs. Others fund only your own research and development.

### Can we start before approval?

Check first. Many programs count only the costs you incur after approval, so an early start can make costs ineligible.

Quebec: some programs set rules on which firms you can hire, and services must be available in French. We confirm that we qualify before you start an application.

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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/