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AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program - Canada

AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program

Last Update: July 31, 2025
Canada
Supports Canadian AI innovation with advanced national computing infrastructure

AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • No Condition
Timeline
  • Receipt of requests is now closed
Financing Type
Researchers And Facilities
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • Manufacturing
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Educational services
  • Health care and social assistance
Grant Providers
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Program status
Closed

Overview of the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program program

The AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program provides up to $705 million in funding to build a Canadian-owned high-performance supercomputing system supporting AI research and industrial R&D. The program aims to enhance national AI infrastructure, promote innovation, foster industry collaboration, and support responsible, secure development of AI technologies in Canada.

Financing terms and conditions

  • A total investment of up to $705 million is available through the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program for qualifying projects.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Development and deployment of a Canadian-owned high-performance supercomputing system for AI research and industrial R&D.
  • Expansion of public computing infrastructure to support Canadian researchers and industry.
  • Collaboration between organizations to foster innovation and enhance AI research capacity.
  • Integration and testing of Canadian hardware and software as part of a sovereign compute platform.
  • Initiatives focused on attracting, developing, and retaining AI talent through advanced compute infrastructure projects.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 57,000

Adopting cloud-based accounting systems for improved efficiency

$ 53,000

Developing a multilingual e-commerce platform for artisanal goods

$ 90,000

Launching a vertical farm for local organic vegetable production

$ 100,000

Implementing an energy-efficient HVAC system for manufacturing plant

$ 82,000

Opening a zero-waste grocery store pilot with refill stations

$ 120,000

Retrofitting a historic theatre for enhanced accessibility features

Eligibility criteria of the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program program

  • The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization, for-profit organization, academic institution, or consortium.
  • The project must address the AI computing needs of Canadian researchers and a broad range of industrial R&D sectors.
  • The proposal must demonstrate expertise and engagement in Canada's AI and public computing ecosystem.
  • The applicant must show technical, management, and financial capacity to develop, implement, and sustain a large-scale AI computing system in Canada.

Who is eligible?

  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • For-profit organizations
  • Academic institutions
  • Consortia

Eligible expenses

  • Costs related to the design, testing, and deployment of high-performance supercomputing infrastructure for AI.
  • Acquisition and installation of equipment and components essential to the computing system.
  • Expenses for datacenter operations, including power, cooling, and staffing required for system maintenance and operation.
  • Personnel costs for highly qualified staff dedicated to building and operating the AI computing system.
  • Implementation of support services to assist Canadian researchers, such as data management and resource allocation.
  • Initiatives to test and deploy Canadian hardware and software within the computing platform.
  • Expenses associated with environmental sustainability, including energy efficiency measures and adherence to environmental best practices.

Eligible geographic areas

  • No specific geographical areas are mentioned; eligibility applies broadly within Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program program

  • Demonstrated expertise in the Canadian AI ecosystem and the ability to support Canada's research and industrial R&D needs.
  • Technical capacity to deliver and operate a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable high-performance AI computing system.
  • Strength of management and leadership, including governance structure and partner roles (if applicable).
  • Efficient use of funds and potential to attract additional public and/or private funding.
  • Strategy to develop, attract, and retain top AI talent in Canada.

How to apply to the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program program

1
Verify eligibility and requirements
  • Review eligibility criteria for not-for-profits, for-profits, academic institutions, and consortia
  • Ensure your organization aligns with the program objectives, including fostering AI research, innovation, and Canadian technology
  • Evaluate your capacity to meet technical, management, and financial expectations listed by the program
2
Prepare Statement of Interest
  • Prepare a non-binding Statement of Interest addressing how your proposal meets each program criterion
  • Detail expertise, technical plans, management strategy, financial approach, and commitment to Canadian AI talent
  • Include supporting documentation as appendices if necessary
  • Respect the submission page limit (maximum 15 pages excluding appendices)
3
Submit Statement of Interest
  • Submit the completed Statement of Interest to aiscip-picsia@ised-isde.gc.ca before the deadline
  • Provide all required details in the email and confirm receipt, if possible
4
Await review and next steps
  • Wait for the government review of your Statement of Interest
  • Be prepared to provide further information or participate in the full proposal stage, if invited

Additional information

  • The total investment allocated for the program is up to $705 million as outlined in Budget 2024.
  • Submissions (excluding appendices) must not exceed 15 pages.
  • Stakeholders may share additional insights about the program beyond the submission deadline.
  • The initiative aims to drive national AI leadership, innovation, and talent recruitment through large-scale public compute infrastructure.

Contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

aiscip-picsia@ised-isde.gc.ca
Apply to this program

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