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AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program - Canada
Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026

AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program

Sovereign AI compute infrastructure for researchers
Offered by
Government of Canada
Official source: ised-isde.canada.ca
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
May 4, 2025
Location
Canada
Who can apply

Not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada

See full eligibility

Overview

The AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program supports Canadian not-for-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, and consortia to build sovereign high-performance computing infrastructure in Canada for AI research and industrial R&D. It can fund construction, operation, and upgrades, along with data storage solutions, hardware and software testing, researcher support services, and talent development activities.
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At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
  • Varies by project
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • For-profit business
  • Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • Higher Education
  • Research
Target groups
  • Business owners / entrepreneurs
  • Nonprofits / charities
  • Academia / students
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • National

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Build, maintain, operate, and upgrade public computing infrastructure
  • Provide access to computing resources for researchers and Canadian industry
  • Test innovative hardware and software and develop sovereign data storage solutions
  • Use, protect, and leverage Canadian data while advancing safe, ethical, and responsible AI
  • Strengthen capacity, training, talent development, collaboration, and business growth, including leasing compute infrastructure where sovereignty requirements are met

Documents Needed

  • Proof of non-profit status or statutory status of the postsecondary institution
  • Information on additional partners, if applicable
  • Principal applicant financial statements for the last three years
  • Detailed staffing plan and project plan
  • Similar operating system documents, proof of energy supply, technical design specifications, and asset residual value and depreciation plan

Official resources

Official page

ai sovereign compute infrastructure program

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada
  • Postsecondary institutions incorporated in Canada
  • Consortia led by a not-for-profit organization or postsecondary institution incorporated in Canada

Eligible expenses

  • Construction, leasing, purchase, maintenance, and operations of compute infrastructure
  • Data curation and use
  • Salaries, wages, and benefits for time spent on the project
  • Equipment, direct costs, professional and technical services, materials, and supplies
  • Networking, communications, training, and reasonable operational costs, including travel and hospitality subject to the applicable directives

Selection criteria

  • Applications are assessed through a multi-step process that combines government due diligence with independent national and international expert advice.
  • Technical execution represents 60% of the overall score.
  • Priority alignment represents 40% of the overall score.
  • Technical execution reviews deployment plan, hardware availability, installation readiness, architecture performance, operational tooling, scalability, security, cooling, energy, and data supply.
  • Priority assessment focuses on increased compute capacity, accelerated delivery, future scalability, sovereignty and governance, and economic impact.

How to apply

  • Email aiscip-picsia@ised-isde.gc.ca to obtain the application form.
  • Submit the completed application form in Word format by email to aiscip-picsia@ised-isde.gc.ca.
  • For large submissions, email your intention to apply and request SharePoint access, including the application name and principal applicant.
  • Upload all required documents to the secure link by 1 June 2026 at 13 h (heure de l'Est).
  • After uploading, email to confirm that the application has been submitted.
  • Wait for an acknowledgement of receipt.

Processing and Agreement

  • Eligible and complete applications move through a rigorous multi-step evaluation process.
  • The review combines government due diligence with independent advice from national and international experts.
  • Program officials may contact applicants directly during the review process.
  • If accepted, the principal applicant signs the contribution agreement with ISDE.

Additional information

  • The program is organized into two integrated layers: Construction of the infrastructure and National Service.
  • This call concerns only the Construction of the infrastructure layer.
  • The National Service layer covers user support, training and skills development, research consultation, and data services.
  • The two layers are meant to integrate the new system with the existing national digital research infrastructure ecosystem.

Contacts

aiscip-picsia@ised-isde.gc.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program Program

What is the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program?

The AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program supports Canadian not-for-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, and consortia to build sovereign high-performance computing infrastructure in Canada for AI research and industrial R&D. It can fund construction, operation, and upgrades, along with data storage solutions, hardware and software testing, researcher support services, and talent development activities.

Who is eligible for the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program program?

To be eligible for the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program program, you must: Not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada Postsecondary institutions incorporated in Canada Consortia led by a Canadian not-for-profit organization or postsecondary institution

What expenses are eligible under AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program?

Build, maintain, operate, and upgrade public computing infrastructure Provide access to computing resources for researchers and Canadian industry Test innovative hardware and software and develop sovereign data storage solutions Use, protect, and leverage Canadian data while advancing safe, ethical, and responsible AI Strengthen capacity, training, talent development, collaboration, and business growth, including leasing compute infrastructure where sovereignty requirements are met

Who can I contact for more information about the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program?

You can contact Government of Canada by email at aiscip-picsia@ised-isde.gc.ca.

Where is the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program available?

The AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program program is available across Canada.

Is the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program is a Grant and Funding

Who are the financial supporters of the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program?

AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program is funded by Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)