Artificial Intelligence for Canadian Energy Innovation

• Funding covers up to 75% of total project costs, with the possibility of 100% for Indigenous applicants.
• Minimum funding per project is $500,000; maximum funding is $1,500,000.
• Maximum total government support (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal) is capped at 100% of total project costs.
• Funding is provided over a maximum period of 4 years.
• Payments are milestone-based and contingent on demonstrating achievement of agreed milestones.

• The applicant must be a legal entity incorporated or registered in Canada, such as a for-profit or not-for-profit organization, community group, Canadian academic institution, or a provincial, territorial, regional, or municipal government or agency.
• Indigenous communities, governments, councils, and Indigenous-owned organizations are eligible to apply.
• The project must involve the development and demonstration of an AI solution aimed at accelerating the technology readiness level of a pre-commercial energy innovation in Canada.
• The applicant must articulate access to or a plan to generate/collect productive datasets relevant to the project.
• Preference is given to projects that form partnerships across the Canadian AI and energy innovation sectors and that demonstrate tangible benefits and activities in Canada.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit organizations incorporated or registered in Canada
• Not-for-profit organizations incorporated or registered in Canada
• Community groups
• Canadian academic institutions
• Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies (where applicable)
• Indigenous communities or governments, Tribal Councils, and Indigenous-owned for-profit and not-for-profit organizations

Who is not eligible

• Companies or organizations that are not legally incorporated or registered in Canada.
• Federal government departments, agencies, or laboratories applying for funding for their own internal operations or acquisition of assets for the federal government.
• Projects focused on purely foundational research without an applied element or demonstration.
• Projects that involve installation of off-the-shelf AI solutions for their intended use or solely for improving existing products/services.
• Projects whose activities do not provide significant tangible benefits to Canada.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits for employees working on the project.
• Training and workshop costs related to the project.
• Professional, scientific, technical, and contracting services essential to project implementation.
• Travel, meals, and accommodation expenses directly associated with project activities.
• Capital expenditures, such as the purchase, installation, testing, and commissioning of equipment, materials, and related warranties.
• Laboratory and field supplies and materials used for project activities.
• Printing and translation services for project purposes.
• Data collection services, including processing, analysis, and management connected to the project.
• Facility costs for seminars and conference room rentals (excluding hospitality).
• Construction insurance, accreditation, license fees, and permits required for the project.
• Honoraria and field testing services necessary for project advancement.
• Overhead costs directly attributable to the project, up to 15% of eligible expenditures.
• GST, PST, or HST, net of any tax rebate to which the applicant is entitled.

Eligible geographic areas

• Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada

• Degree to which the project develops and uses AI solutions to lower the cost, time, and/or energy use of traditional methods in advancing new energy innovations.
• Quality and depth of partnerships, particularly the collaboration between AI and energy technology innovators to promote knowledge exchange.
• Contribution to Canadian energy data availability, accessibility, and security across the energy innovation ecosystem.
• Potential for significant tangible benefits to Canada, with preference for projects offering domestic benefits, investments, and activities by applicants, partners, collaborators, or vendors.
• Promotion of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA), and demonstration of societal benefits such as job creation, capacity-building, and improvements in AI literacy.

• Contributions are non-repayable, as the funding targets pre-commercial projects expected to generate broad societal benefits.
• Successful applicants may receive non-financial support, including networking opportunities and participation in knowledge-sharing events.
• Mention of the use of generative AI in applications is permitted, but all information provided must be accurate and appropriately cited.
• NRCan may modify timelines and requirements at its discretion; applicants should stay informed of any updates.