Closed
AI Compute Access Fund
Funding for Canadian AI compute access
Last Update: June 23, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000 - $ 5,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : July 31, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The AI Compute Access Fund provides financial support to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) for AI compute access. It supports eligible compute costs for Canadian cloud-based services and, until March 31, 2027, non-Canadian cloud-based services.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 67% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : July 31, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500-500 employees
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Startups
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
- Financial statements for the last two years
- Detailed project budget and team/partner list
- Commercialization plan
- AI compute service contract or evidence it is in progress
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Active Canadian-registered for-profit company developing AI products or services
- Consortiums of organizations where one corporation or LLP is the project lead applicant
Who is not eligible
- Businesses outside Canada
- Non-profit organizations
- Large companies with 500 or more FTEs
- Organizations without AI product or service development
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 GST/HST
- Pre-payment for services beyond the contribution agreement period
- Interest charges, late fees, fines, and penalties
- Support or service plans
- Data transfer fees and legal fees
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada-based R&D teams and project activities within 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
- Applicants may be asked for additional information or documentation and will be provided up to 5 business days to provide the information.
- If, after making reasonable efforts, ISED is unable to obtain the additional information, they will review the application based on the available information.
- Responses or amendments received after this deadline may not be considered.
- By submitting their application, applicants confirm that any person who lobbies on their behalf and is required to be registered pursuant to the Lobbying Act is registered pursuant to the Act.
Additional information
- The most recent Call for Proposals closed at 11:59pm ET on July 31, 2025.
- Review and assessment of applications is ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions about the AI Compute Access Fund Program
What is the AI Compute Access Fund?
The AI Compute Access Fund provides financial support to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) for AI compute access. It supports eligible compute costs for Canadian cloud-based services and, until March 31, 2027, non-Canadian cloud-based services.
How much funding can be received?
AI Compute Access Fund Funds up to 67% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the AI Compute Access Fund program?
To be eligible for the AI Compute Access Fund program, you must:
Registered corporation or LLP with under 500 FTEs
Canada-based R&D team and project work in Canada
Revenue-generating or Series A investor interest
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