Who Can Apply to IRAP AI Assist: Complete Eligibility Guide
The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist supports Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to build, deploy, and integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, with emphasis on generative AI (GenAI), deep neural networks (DNN), and deep learning (DL). As of December 1, 2025, NRC IRAP is running a call for proposals for not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions that will deliver expert advisory and support services to SMEs referred by IRAP Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs).
This article explains who can apply to IRAP AI Assist, what eligibility criteria apply to applicants and beneficiaries, and how to quickly self-assess your fit. It also clarifies the two-path structure: organizations apply to deliver services; SMEs receive services via IRAP referral.
Definition at a glance: IRAP AI Assist is a federal contribution program administered by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC IRAP) that funds qualified not-for-profits and post-secondary institutions to provide short, targeted AI advisory engagements to Canadian SMEs across the country.
Program Overview
IRAP AI Assist is designed to increase the number, quality, and competitiveness of Canadian SMEs integrating AI into core products and services. The program’s operating model is collaborative:
Not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions apply through a competitive call for proposals and, if selected, sign a contribution agreement to deliver services.
NRC IRAP ITAs identify and refer eligible SMEs to participating delivery organizations for one-on-one “SME engagements” focused on AI readiness, use-case framing, and dataset quality review.
Each SME engagement typically includes up to 20 hours of support over a maximum of four months. Referred SMEs contribute a flat fee of $500 per engagement to the delivery organization.
For this call, NRC IRAP may fund multiple delivery organizations to ensure national coverage, in English and/or French, across one or more provinces or territories.
Applicant Type Requirements
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit organizations, including post-secondary institutions, that meet all of the following criteria:
Legal status and Canadian presence
Incorporated in Canada (federal, territorial, or provincial) as a not-for-profit.
Conducts business activities in Canada.
Has facilities and operations in Canada with employees based in Canada.
Tax, payroll, and compliance
Files corporate taxes in Canada.
Withholds payroll deductions required by federal or provincial legislation.
AI expertise and service delivery capacity
Significant expertise in GenAI, DNN, and DL.
At least three years of experience providing AI advisory services that help SMEs build, deploy, and integrate AI capabilities into products and services.
An established organizational structure and delivery framework suitable for the project (intake, service delivery, reporting, claims, and quality control).
Risk and privacy safeguards
Maintains professional liability insurance or errors and omissions insurance.
Has a published policy to protect SME privacy, information, and data.
Contractor policy and research security
May use Canadian contractors (organizations or individuals) as described in the application; onboarding process must be explained in the Expression of Interest (EOI).
No foreign contractors or foreign-based employees are permitted; all work must be performed in Canada.
Must meet NRC research security requirements; no affiliations with entities listed on the federal Named Research Organization (NRO) list.
Note: Each applicant may submit only one EOI for this call.
Size & Scale Criteria
IRAP AI Assist does not impose a fixed minimum or maximum employee count for applicants. Instead, selection focuses on delivery capability and track record. Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
Adequate staffing mix to deliver engagements (e.g., senior, intermediate, junior technical experts; project manager; administrative support; finance).
Capacity to handle the expected number of monthly SME engagements over the project term.
A proven methodology for discovery, AI use-case framing, dataset quality review, and actionable recommendations.
Robust internal controls for reporting, claims, and quality assurance.
Practical tip: In your EOI/proposal, describe how many SME engagements you can deliver per month and the resource hours by role per engagement.
Geographic Eligibility
This is a national program. Applicants must operate in Canada and indicate where they can deliver services.
Pan-Canadian scope
Services should be available in one or more provinces or territories.
Applicants must specify regions of delivery and official language capacity (English and/or French).
Multiple applicants may be selected to ensure national coverage.
Availability in Quebec and Ontario
Applicants delivering in Quebec and Ontario should confirm:
On-the-ground delivery capacity (staff or partners) based in these provinces.
Ability to provide services in French (for Quebec and francophone communities in Ontario) and/or English as required.
Knowledge of local SME ecosystems and sector nuances (manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, technology, etc.).
Western Canada and Territories
For British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut:
Demonstrate access to SMEs in urban and remote regions.
Outline approaches for virtual delivery and time-zone coverage.
Highlight sector expertise relevant to Western and Northern economies (e.g., advanced manufacturing, mining, clean tech, agri-food, logistics).
Atlantic Canada
For Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador:
Confirm bilingual capacity as needed.
Detail outreach and intake methods suited to smaller markets and regional clusters.
Project & Activity Requirements
Applicants must be able to deliver engagements covering two mandatory activity groups and meet service standards.
Project set-up
Coordinate intake of IRAP-referred SMEs.
Align reporting and claims processes with program requirements.
Delivery of services (both activity groups are required)
AI use-case framing within the SME:
Address AI tools and both business and technical requirements.
Discuss integration of AI in the SME’s proposed use case.
Explore potential AI solutions with the SME.
Provide cost components and approximate figures for the SME’s AI use case.
Dataset quality review:
Advise on data governance and ethics considerations (transparency, confidentiality, security, bias, equity, responsibility, consent, privacy law adherence).
Provide a high-level opinion on the usability of:
Existing SME datasets.
Alternative data sources.
New data the SME could collect.
Deliverables
Personalized engagement services to each referred SME (virtual or in-person).
An action plan and recommendations per SME.
Post-service assessments detailing services rendered.
Monthly claims with proof of costs and status reports.
A final report summarizing outcomes and lessons learned.
Service delivery terms and standards
Each SME engagement: up to 20 hours over a maximum of four months.
Maximum one engagement per SME per fiscal year unless IRAP approves additional engagements.
Response time after receiving an SME engagement request: six working days.
No external marketing of these engagement services by delivery organizations.
IRAP may participate in engagements at the SME’s request.
Midterm review by IRAP; performance and financial status will be evaluated.
Financial & Operational Criteria
Applicants should be prepared to meet the program’s funding and cost parameters.
Funding model
Non-repayable contributions reimburse eligible costs.
IRAP may support up to 100% of eligible project costs, excluding the $500 fee paid by each SME per engagement.
Applicants must provide clear budget details and hourly rates by resource category (in CAD, before taxes).
Eligible costs include
Salary costs.
Overhead costs (up to 30% of salary costs).
Professional service rates.
Contractor fees (Canadian only).
Operating expenses.
Non-claimable portions of HST/GST/PST.
Ineligible costs include
Travel or living expenses.
Purchase of land, leasehold interest, property taxes.
Claimable HST/GST/PST.
Patenting and licensing costs.
Any expense not listed as eligible.
Government stacking
Total government assistance must not exceed 100% of eligible project costs.
No double-charging the same expense to two government entities.
Research security
Applicants must sign an NRC Research Security Requirements Attestation confirming no affiliations with entities on the NRO list.
Operational readiness checklist:
Privacy and data-protection policy is in place and published.
Professional liability or E&O insurance is active and adequate.
Clear intake and triage processes for IRAP referrals.
Financial systems support monthly claims with documentation.
Ineligible Applicants
You are not eligible to apply to deliver services under IRAP AI Assist if you are:
A for-profit entity (including SMEs seeking support).
An unincorporated association, sole proprietorship, or individual.
A foreign entity or an organization proposing foreign contractors or foreign-based work.
An organization without Canadian facilities, employees, or tax/payroll compliance in Canada.
An organization lacking at least three years of AI advisory experience in GenAI/DNN/DL for SMEs.
An organization without required insurance and a published privacy/data policy.
An organization or individual with current affiliations that contravene NRC research security requirements (e.g., entities on the NRO list).
Important: SMEs do not apply to this call. They access services through referral by an NRC IRAP ITA to selected delivery organizations.
Special Cases & Exceptions
Contractors and partners
Canadian contractors are allowed; describe intent and onboarding in the EOI. Quotes will be vetted for Canadian content, expertise, and cost.
Foreign contractors or foreign-based work are not permitted.
Consortia and collaborations
A single incorporated not-for-profit lead should submit the EOI. Describe any collaborative delivery model through contractors or partner arrangements, ensuring compliance with funding and security rules.
Indigenous organizations and charities
Indigenous not-for-profit organizations and registered charities may be eligible if they meet all program criteria (incorporation in Canada, Canadian operations, tax/payroll compliance, required AI advisory experience, insurance, privacy policy).
Post-secondary institutions
Universities, colleges, and polytechnics are eligible provided they can deliver the required services and meet all compliance and security requirements.
Number of submissions
Each applicant may submit only one EOI.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Use this yes/no checklist to gauge eligibility to apply as a delivery organization:
We are an incorporated Canadian not-for-profit or a post-secondary institution. [Yes/No]
We have facilities and employees in Canada and operate here. [Yes/No]
We file corporate taxes in Canada and withhold required payroll deductions. [Yes/No]
We have at least three years of advisory experience in GenAI/DNN/DL for SMEs. [Yes/No]
We maintain professional liability or E&O insurance. [Yes/No]
We have a published policy protecting SME privacy, information, and data. [Yes/No]
We can deliver both required activity groups (AI use-case framing and dataset quality review). [Yes/No]
We can respond within six working days and complete engagements within four months. [Yes/No]
We can deliver services in one or both official languages and specify our regions. [Yes/No]
We will use only Canadian staff/contractors and perform all work in Canada. [Yes/No]
We can manage monthly reporting and claims with proof of costs. [Yes/No]
We have no affiliations that would contravene NRC research security requirements (NRO list). [Yes/No]
If you answered “Yes” to all items, you likely align with IRAP AI Assist eligibility. If you answered “No” to any item, address the gap before applying.
Conclusion
IRAP AI Assist eligibility centres on Canadian not-for-profits and post-secondary institutions with proven GenAI/DNN/DL advisory expertise, operational capacity to deliver structured SME engagements, and strong compliance in tax, payroll, privacy, insurance, and research security. SMEs do not apply to this call; they receive services via referral from an NRC IRAP ITA, contribute a $500 fee per engagement, and benefit from up to 20 hours of targeted AI guidance over four months.
If your organization meets these criteria and can deliver services in the regions and official languages you specify, you are well-positioned to apply to IRAP AI Assist and help SMEs across Canada adopt and integrate AI responsibly and effectively.
