Closed
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
Tech entrepreneurs can get one year of free cloud-based resources for development, testing and trials.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) grant supports Canadian startups and SMEs in developing and commercializing their innovative products and services. The eligible activities primarily focus on leveraging cloud resources and emerging technologies to streamline product development processes.
- Rapid and scalable design, development, validation, and demonstration of commercial products or services using free cloud resources.
- Optimization of AWS credits and resource planning for commercialization.
- Access to curated BoosterPacks for implementing emerging technologies such as IoT, machine learning, and augmented reality.
- Participation in a collaborative community of entrepreneurs for technical support and best practices sharing.
- Development of prototypes for showcasing to potential customers and investors.
- Access to technical support resources, webinars, and events for cloud development expertise.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
To apply for the DAIR Cloud Program, eligible applicants must be Canadian businesses with fewer than 500 employees, who are involved in building or developing a commercial product or service. The program is targeted towards startups, early-stage businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that require resources for the rapid and scalable design, development, validation, and demonstration of their product or service.Who is not eligible
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for the DAIR grant:
- Companies with more than 500 employees.
- Non-Canadian businesses.
- Companies not focused on building or developing commercial products or services.
Eligible expenses
The DAIR Cloud Program offers a suite of resources to help Canadian startups and small to medium enterprises accelerate their product or service development. Eligible projects can take advantage of these resources to optimize their technological innovations and facilitate commercialization.
- Rapid and scalable design, development, validation, and demonstration of commercial products or services.
- Access to the DAIR Cloud Platform for hosted-in-Canada public cloud resources, including AWS credits.
- Use of BoosterPacks which provide sample code and documentation for emerging technologies.
- Opportunities to leverage AWS services on DAIR for development purposes.
- Engagement with the DAIR Community for collaboration and support from Canadian entrepreneurs.
- Use of the cloud platform to reduce development time and costs and expedite market entry.
- Access to AWS services and applications as they are made available under DAIR.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to Canadian companies, including startups, early stage businesses, and small & medium-sized enterprises. Eligible locations must be within Canada to ensure the program supports Canadian businesses effectively.
- Companies based in Canada.
- Businesses operating across all Canadian provinces and territories.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for the DAIR Cloud Program:
- DAIR provides generous monthly credits for AWS services, covering data egress and storage charges.
- Participants can access Graphical Processor Units (GPUs), which are subject to availability.
- BoosterPacks offer curated resources and sample code for emerging technologies, developed by experienced Canadian businesses.
- DAIR participants can utilize a private Slack channel for peer discussions and technical support from DAIR Cloud experts.
- Access to a library of technical resources and exclusive invitations to webinars and events are included.
- Participants are required to provide feedback through short questionnaires or phone interviews.
- Over 2,000 Canadian businesses have benefitted from DAIR.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR)?
Tech entrepreneurs can get one year of free cloud-based resources for development, testing and trials.
Who is eligible for the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) program?
To be eligible for the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) program, you must:
The business must be Canadian with fewer than 500 employees.
The business must use the DAIR Cloud Program for the design, development, validation, and/or demonstration of a commercial product or service.
What expenses are eligible under Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR)?
The Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) grant supports Canadian startups and SMEs in developing and commercializing their innovative products and services. The eligible activities primarily focus on leveraging cloud resources and emerging technologies to streamline product development processes. Rapid and scalable design, development, validation, and demonstration of commercial products or services using free cloud resources.
Optimization of AWS credits and resource planning for commercialization.
Access to curated BoosterPacks for implementing emerging technologies such as IoT, machine learning, and augmented reality.
Participation in a collaborative community of entrepreneurs for technical support and best practices sharing.
Development of prototypes for showcasing to potential customers and investors.
Access to technical support resources, webinars, and events for cloud development expertise.
Where is the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) available?
The Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) program is available across Canada.
Is the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) is a Other Support
Who are the financial supporters of the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR)?
Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) is funded by CANARIE