Closed
Source verified August 4, 2026
AI Compute Access Fund
Funding for Canadian AI compute access
Latest source updateLast Update: June 16, 2026Latest change: The program status changed from Open to Closed, and the page now says the most recent Call for Proposals closed on July 31, 2025 at 11:59pm ET while assessment continues.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 16, 2026
Latest change: The program status changed from Open to Closed, and the page now says the most recent Call for Proposals closed on July 31, 2025 at 11:59pm ET while assessment continues.
AI Compute Access Fund closed for applications
The program status changed from Open to Closed. The page now says the most recent Call for Proposals closed on July 31, 2025 at 11:59pm ET, and that review and assessment of applications is ongoing. The application instructions also now point readers to the program updates signup and the online portal/contact endpoints shown on the current page. Funding amounts and cost-share rates remain visible as $100,000 to $5,000,000, 67% for eligible Canadian costs, and 50% for eligible non-Canadian costs.
Funding available
Up to 67% of project cost
Deadline
July 31, 2025
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Active Canadian-registered for-profit companies developing AI products or services
See full eligibility
Overview
The AI Compute Access Fund supports Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises developing AI products or services by covering up to two-thirds of eligible Canadian cloud-based compute costs and up to half of eligible non-Canadian cloud-based compute costs. It funds training, inference, and related activities such as refining or fine-tuning AI models.
Find open grants for your business
Explore open funding programs that match your business and project.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Up to 67% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- AI model training and refinement using cloud compute
- Inference services for AI products or services
- Modification, improvement, or fine-tuning of existing AI models
Documents Needed
- Board of Directors list including names, titles, residency, and relevant affiliations
- Two most recent annual financial statements
- Detailed project budget and list of key team members, partner(s), and/or funding organizations involved in the project
- Commercialization plan and intellectual property strategy
- Copy of compute service agreement(s), or a copy before signing the Contribution Agreement if the contract is still being obtained
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Active Canadian-registered for-profit companies developing AI products or services
- Consortiums of organizations applying through one corporation or LLP as the project lead applicant
- Under the Indigenous business exception, certain non-incorporated for-profit businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by Indigenous Peoples, groups, or organizations may still be eligible if they demonstrate a clear and direct benefit to Indigenous communities
Who is not eligible
- Applicants found to have used a non-employee paid through a commission, contingency, or success-fee arrangement to obtain funding may be rendered ineligible
Eligible expenses
- Core compute expenses
- Storage costs
- Compute-specific licensing
- AI/ML processing
- Operational monitoring and compute-specific security requirements
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Federal and provincial goods and services taxes
- Pre-payment for services beyond the duration of the contribution agreement
- Interest charges, late fees, fines, and penalties
- Support or service plans, data transfer fees, and legal fees
- A recipient's own compute costs if it, or one of its subsidiaries, is a compute service provider
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Market potential
- Organizational and financial capacity
- Economic, innovation, and public benefits to Canada
- Technology readiness
- Alignment with program and Government of Canada priorities
How to apply
- Step 1: Create a My Canada Business Account and verify identity
- Register on the online portal
- Complete identity verification to access the program system
- Step 2: Submit a Statement of Interest
- Provide business details and confirm eligibility
- Summarize the proposal and its alignment with program objectives
- Submit through the online portal for review
- Step 3: Submit a full application
- Apply only if invited after the SOI review
- Provide detailed project, funding, and commercialization information
- Upload the application through the online portal during the CFP period
Processing and Agreement
- ISED will review the Statement of Interest and respond within five business days, either inviting the applicant to submit a full application or notifying them that the proposal will not proceed
- If additional information or documentation is required, applicants may be given up to 5 business days to respond, and late responses or amendments may not be considered
- ISED will endeavour to make funding decisions within 60-90 business days after a CFP period closes, and final results will be communicated by email
- Successful applicants will receive a Contribution Agreement and have 30 business days to review and accept the funding offer
- Recipients must meet reporting and claims requirements under the Contribution Agreement, including annual reporting and reimbursement claims that may be reviewed up to four times per year
Additional information
- Recipients may collaborate with other parties on the project, but the recipient remains solely responsible for meeting all objectives in the Contribution Agreement
- Applicants may submit only one application per business number
- ISED makes no claim to ownership of intellectual property resulting from funded activities
Frequently Asked Questions about the AI Compute Access Fund Program
What is the AI Compute Access Fund?
The AI Compute Access Fund supports Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises developing AI products or services by covering up to two-thirds of eligible Canadian cloud-based compute costs and up to half of eligible non-Canadian cloud-based compute costs. It funds training, inference, and related activities such as refining or fine-tuning AI models.
How much funding can be received?
AI Compute Access Fund Funds up to 67% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the AI Compute Access Fund program?
To be eligible for the AI Compute Access Fund program, you must:
Canadian-registered for-profit company developing AI products or services, or a consortium led by one eligible corporation or LLP
Fewer than 500 FTE employees, with a Canada-based R&D team and project activities in Canada
Revenue-generating or backed by at least Series A investor interest, with compute service documentation in place or in progress
What expenses are eligible under AI Compute Access Fund?
AI model training and refinement using cloud compute
Inference services for AI products or services
Modification, improvement, or fine-tuning of existing AI models
Who can I contact for more information about the AI Compute Access Fund?
You can contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Where is the AI Compute Access Fund available?
The AI Compute Access Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the AI Compute Access Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
AI Compute Access Fund is a Grant and Funding