Gen AI Call for Projects

Who is eligible?

• Canadian companies with significant operational capacities in Canada (work must be performed in Canada)
• Product companies developing or enhancing existing products/services with generative AI (Commercialization Projects)
• Companies integrating generative AI to improve existing operations (Adoption Projects)
• AI service providers participating as partners in Adoption Projects
• End-user organizations participating as partners in Commercialization Projects

Who is not eligible

• Organizations (lead and/or partners) located outside Canada, or projects where the work will be performed outside Canada.
• Single-organization projects (projects without at least one partner in the consortium).
• Consortiums that do not include at least one SME (fewer than 500 employees).
• Projects that are not focused on generative AI applied to operational productivity (i.e., not aligned with Scale AI’s GenAI operational productivity scope).
• Companies directly funded by Scale AI where the project cost exceeds 40% of the company’s annual revenues.

Eligible expenses

• Subcontracting costs paid to external providers included in the consortium (e.g., the AI service provider).
• Project costs incurred by the project participants that are directly related to the generative AI solution development or adoption, and incurred in Canada (as defined as “eligible costs” under Scale AI’s Guidelines for Funding).

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada (the project lead and partner(s) must be located in Canada, and eligible work must be performed in Canada).

• Strategic Alignment (30%): Alignment with Scale AI’s objectives for adoption, commercialization, and democratization of generative AI in operations (including being within scope, developing and sharing applied knowledge, addressing a technical challenge, and being technically achievable).
• Team and Project Plan (25%): Strength of the project team and realism/clarity of the project plan and budget (including expertise, cooperation between consortium members, project management and planning, and reasonableness of the cost structure).
• Ecosystem Impact (25%): Expected benefits to the ecosystem as the project scales (including SME growth through access to AI solutions, potential use of foreground IP outside the project scope, job creation/skills/diversity, and contributions to research/learning/training).
• Business Impact (20%): Expected operational or business benefits and strength of the business plan (including adoption of generative AI-powered improvements, operational and cost efficiencies, and clear/realistic commercialization plans).

• Step 1: Complete eligibility submission (eligibility form, letters of intent)
  • Access the application start page: https://go.scaleai.ca/l/1015532/2024-09-19/2v98j
  • Complete the short “eligibility form” describing how the proposed project meets the selection criteria outlined in the form.
  • Prepare a letter of intent using Scale AI’s required template: https://www.scaleai.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/letter-of-intent-template_genai.docx
  • Obtain signatures on the letter of intent from: an executive sponsor from the lead organization, the project manager for the proposed generative AI project, and an executive sponsor from each partner company.
  • Submit the eligibility form and the signed letter of intent by November 8, 2024, 6:00 PM (Montreal time).
• Step 2: Await eligibility decision (notification, invitation to next phase)
  • Wait for Scale AI’s decision for Phase 1 (Eligibility), communicated no later than November 29, 2024.
  • If invited, proceed to prepare the detailed proposal for Phase 2.
• Step 3: Submit detailed proposal (Scale AI portal, required template)
  • Complete the detailed proposal on the Scale AI portal using the provided template (as instructed by Scale AI for eligible applicants).
  • Submit the final detailed proposal by January 31, 2025, 6:00 PM (Montreal time).
  • Provide clarifications if Scale AI requests them during evaluation.
• Step 4: Receive selection decision and funding conditions (award notification)
  • Await Scale AI’s selection decision and associated funding conditions, communicated no later than March 14, 2025.
• Step 5: Sign agreements and launch the project (Master Project Agreement, start date)
  • If selected, enter into a Master Project Agreement with Scale AI.
  • Ensure all required contracts with project partners needed to start the project are signed.
  • Start the project by April 30, 2025 (otherwise the funding offer will be revoked).
• Step 6: Submit reimbursement documentation (claims, deadlines)
  • Submit project costs and supporting documentation to Scale AI for reimbursement according to Scale AI’s Guidelines for Funding.
  • Submit all project costs and supporting documents no later than May 29, 2026.

• The GenAI call for projects is closed; however, Scale AI indicates it continues to accept GenAI projects through its usual application process.
• Applicants can sign up for a Scale AI webinar to learn more about the support offered.
• Scale AI notes that it will not provide assistance during Phase 1 (e.g., reviewing or commenting on projects) for fairness to all applicants.
• Detailed proposals may be reviewed by an independent expert committee, and Scale AI may request clarifications during evaluation.