Funding programs
AI funding programs for Canadian businesses
We checked these 13 programs against their official pages on October 15, 2026. The Type column shows whether funding is a grant, a loan or a contribution you repay.
| 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 | Open in most regionsOfficial 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 |
| ESSOR, Volet 1Investissement Québec | Grant | A digital diagnostic and plan, then its implementation. Outside consultant fees count | 50% of eligible costsUp to $20,000 for the plan and $50,000 for implementation | Quebec | 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 |
| 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 |
| B.C. Employer Training GrantWorkBC | Grant | Skills training for current or new employees | 80% of eligible training costsUp to $10,000 per participant and $300,000 per employer each fiscal year | British Columbia | OpenOfficial page |
| Canada-Alberta Productivity GrantGovernment of Alberta | Grant | Employee training, with digital and technology skills an eligible category | 75% of training costs, up to $5,000 per traineeUp to $100,000 per employer each year | Alberta | Check intakeOfficial page |
| 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 |
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.
Questions
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.
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.