How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Gen AI Call for Projects?

Gen AI Call for Projects is funded by Scale AI Cluster

What are Gen AI Call for Projects's eligibility criterias?

Both the company leading the project and its partners must be located in Canada, with the work performed in Canada. At least two participants must comprise the project team, including one small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 employees. The project must have a minimum budget of $750,000 in costs.

Gen AI Call for Projects

Last Update: May 13, 2025

Canada

Generative AI projects enhancing Canadian operational productivity

Gen AI Call for Projects at a glance

Eligible Funding

Min. $750,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : September 26, 2024
Closing date : November 8, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services

Grant Providers

Scale AI Cluster

Status

Closed

Overview of the Gen AI Call for Projects program

The Scale AI Initiative for Generative AI offers funding of up to 50% of eligible project costs, supporting projects that integrate and commercialize generative AI solutions to enhance operational productivity across Canadian value chains. Eligible activities include the development of innovative generative AI applications in two categories: commercialization and adoption projects, with a minimum budget of $750,000.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant offers significant funding support tailored for the advancement of generative AI projects, ensuring that selected initiatives receive substantial backing for implementation. The financing modalities are comprehensive, allowing for varied contributions from partners and efficient resource allocation.

Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs, subject to maximum funding amounts based on project category and scope.
For adoption projects, at least 50% of the costs should be subcontracting costs paid to AI service provider(s) in the consortium.
For commercialization projects, end-user partners are encouraged to financially support the product company as a demonstration of commitment.
Projects require a minimum budget of $750,000 with no cap on the maximum project cost.
Eligible costs must be incurred by participants within Canada and be directly related to AI solution development or adoption, as defined by Scale AI’s Guidelines for Funding.

Eligible projects & activities

The Gen AI Call for Projects supports innovative collaborations that leverage generative AI to boost productivity and operational efficiency within Canadian value chains. Eligible projects focus on both commercializing generative AI-enhanced products and improving operational processes through AI integration.

Commercialization projects aiming to enhance existing products with generative AI capabilities.
Adoption projects focused on integrating generative AI solutions to improve company operations.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 1,000,000

Implement generative AI to optimize warehouse logistics and inventory management in Montreal.

$ 900,000

Develop a generative AI tool for automatic report generation in the finance sector.

Eligibility criteria of the Gen AI Call for Projects program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's location, project structure, and financial criteria.

The company leading the project and its partners must be located in Canada, and the work supported by Scale AI must be performed in Canada.
A letter of intent using the required template must be submitted, signed by an executive sponsor from the lead organization, the project manager for the proposed generative AI project, and an executive sponsor from each of the partner companies.
The project cost must not exceed 40% of the company's annual revenues to ensure financial viability.
The project must start no later than April 30, 2025, and end no later than April 30, 2026.
The project must align with Scale AI's strategy, focusing on supporting the commercialization and adoption of AI solutions in a well-identified value chain and democratizing AI for widespread access among Canadian organizations.
The project must be new or significantly expand, accelerate, or transform existing operations.
The project must involve at least two participants: the project lead and the partner, including at least one small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 employees.
The project must have a minimum budget of $750,000 in costs.
The project lead and partner must have conducted a preliminary feasibility study confirming the validity of the scientific approach and the accessibility of the required data.

Who is eligible?

This program fulfills Scale AI's strategy of supporting commercialization and adoption of generative AI solutions, aiming to democratize AI across Canadian organizations to enhance operational productivity. The evaluation and selection criteria reflect this focus by assessing strategic alignment, team capabilities, potential ecosystem and business impacts.

Strategic Alignment (30%): Projects should align with Scale AI's objectives to encourage adoption, commercialization, and democratization of generative AI, address significant operational needs, develop new applied knowledge, pose technical challenges, and be technically achievable.
Team and Project Plan (25%): Evaluation of the technical credentials, expertise, realism of the project plan, cooperation among consortium members, project management clarity, and reasonable cost structure.
Ecosystem Impact (25%): Consideration of the project's scalability and benefits to the ecosystem, including intellectual property application, job creation, diversity principles, SME growth, and public dissemination of lessons learned.
Business Impact (20%): The project's plan should address operational or business needs with realistic commercialization plans and generative AI adoption for operational improvements and efficiencies.

Who is not eligible

This grant does not specify exclusions for certain types of companies or industries based on their status or main activity. The focus is on the fulfillment of specific eligibility criteria provided by the grant call.

Eligible expenses

Costs incurred by project participants directly related to AI solution development or adoption.
Expenses incurred in Canada.
External costs, such as payments to AI service providers.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available for businesses with significant operational capacities in Canada, and only work conducted within Canada is eligible for funding. The focus on Canadian locations aims to support domestic innovation and economic growth.

Companies and partners located throughout Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Gen AI Call for Projects program

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

Strategic Alignment: 30% - Evaluating how well the project aligns with Scale AI’s strategic objectives, addresses a significant operational need, develops new applied knowledge, poses a technical challenge, and is technically achievable.
Team and Project Plan: 25% - Assessing the technical credentials and expertise of the project team, the clarity and realism of the project management plan, cooperation between consortium members, and cost structure.
Ecosystem Impact: 25% - Considering the benefits to the ecosystem, including intellectual property application, contribution to job creation and diversity, SME growth, and dissemination of lessons learned.
Business Impact: 20% - Analyzing the project’s business plan, addressing operational or business needs, planning for realistic commercialization and adoption of AI, and achieving operational efficiencies.

How to apply to the Gen AI Call for Projects program

Complete the Eligibility Form

Download and fill out the short eligibility form, providing details on how the project meets the criteria.
Obtain letters of intent signed by an executive sponsor from the lead organization, the project manager, and an executive sponsor from each partner company.

Submit Eligibility Form and Letters of Intent

Ensure all documents are completed and submitted online by the deadline of November 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM, Montreal time.
Note that submissions are evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis, so early submission is encouraged.

Await Phase 1 Evaluation Results

Wait for Scale AI to review your submission and provide feedback by November 29, 2024.
Only eligible projects will be invited to proceed to Phase 2.

Submit Detailed Proposal (If Invited)

If invited, prepare a detailed project proposal using the template provided on the Scale AI portal starting December 2, 2024.
Ensure submission of the detailed proposal by January 31, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Montreal time.

Phase 2 Evaluation and Feedback

The detailed proposal will be evaluated based on provided selection criteria.
Scale AI may request clarifications during the evaluation process.
Receive notification of selection decisions by March 14, 2025.

Finalize Agreement and Commence Project

If selected, enter into a Master Project Agreement with Scale AI by April 30, 2025.
Begin your project as stipulated in the agreement to maintain funding eligibility.

Additional information

While there are no specific miscellaneous details, the program's process includes important dates and phases for application, as well as intellectual property conditions. Additionally, it outlines reimbursement rates and requirements for commercialization and adoption projects.

The application submission period opens on September 26, 2024, and the Phase 1 deadline is November 8, 2024.
Applications must be submitted by a lead organization with significant operational capacities in Canada, and work must be performed in Canada to be eligible for Scale AI funding.
Phase 2 involves submitting a detailed proposal from December 2, 2024, to January 31, 2025.
Project funding covers up to 50% of eligible costs; projects must have a minimum budget of $750,000.
Key dates include project start by April 30, 2025, and completion by April 30, 2026.
All IP generated in commercialization projects belongs to the product company, while in adoption projects, the IP belongs to the AI service provider.