Gen AI Call for Projects
Canada
The Scale AI Initiative for Generative AI accelerates Canadian business productivity through innovative AI integration, fostering global competitiveness.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|minCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateSeptember 26, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateNovember 08, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Scale AI Cluster
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Scale AI Initiative for Generative AI is a program aimed at accelerating the adoption and integration of generative AI solutions to enhance operational productivity within Canadian value chains. It supports two project categories: Commercialization Projects for product companies aiming to infuse AI capabilities into their offerings and Adoption Projects for companies seeking operational improvements through AI. Eligible projects must demonstrate innovation, focus on model engineering, and have clear productivity objectives, with project durations between 6-12 months.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available for businesses with operational capacities situated in Canada. Eligible locations are specified to comply with Scale AI’s funding requirements.
- Companies and project teams must be located in Canada.
- The work supported by Scale AI funding must be performed within Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$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.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Gen AI Call for Projects by Scale AI seeks to accelerate the adoption and integration of generative AI solutions to enhance operational productivity in Canadian businesses. Projects eligible for this grant should focus on either commercialization or adoption of generative AI, fostering collaboration between companies and partners.
- Commercialization Projects: Enhancement of existing services or products with generative AI capabilities, requiring collaboration between a product company and an end user.
- Adoption Projects: Improvement of existing operations through the integration of generative AI solutions, involving collaboration between an adopting company and an AI service provider.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for the grant must be incurred by the project participants and be directly related to the AI solution development or adoption. These costs must be incurred in Canada and meet Scale AI’s guidelines.
- Costs directly related to AI solution development or adoption.
- External costs, such as payments to the AI service provider.
- Subcontracting costs paid to the AI service provider in adoption projects, which should account for at least 50% of the project costs.
- Financial contributions from end-user partners in commercialization projects, demonstrating their commitment.
grant_single_labels|criteria
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.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: 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.
- Step 2: 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.
- Step 3: 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.
- Step 4: 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.
- Step 5: 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.
- Step 6: 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.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
Apply to this program
Empowering Canadian Businesses Through Generative AI
The Scale AI Initiative for Generative AI is an exceptional funding opportunity aimed at accelerating the adoption and commercialization of generative AI solutions within Canadian businesses. This initiative not only seeks to enhance operational productivity and efficiency but also positions Canadian enterprises at the forefront of global AI innovation.
Diving Deep Into the Scale AI Initiative for Generative AI
The Scale AI Initiative for Generative AI stands as a crucial pillar in promoting technological advancement across Canada's economic landscape. It focuses on integrating cutting-edge generative AI technologies to improve operational productivity within Canadian value chains. This initiative is poised to revolutionize how businesses operate, optimizing processes and improving resource management through innovative AI solutions. Through this funding opportunity, Scale AI aims to support projects that demonstrate substantial potential in transforming business operations, with measurable impacts that reflect on productivity, market competitiveness, and economic growth.
The program is structured to specifically address two major categories of projects—Commercialization Projects and Adoption Projects. Commercialization Projects focus on empowering product companies to integrate generative AI capabilities into their existing product lines, thereby offering enhanced services. On the other hand, Adoption Projects are crafted to help businesses seeking to incorporate AI solutions into their operational processes to optimize efficiency. In both project categories, collaboration is key: the lead company must team up with a corresponding partner, such as an AI service provider or an end-user, to drive successful outcomes.
The application process is designed to foster competitive selection, ensuring high-impact projects receive the necessary support. Eligibility for this call requires the involvement of Canadian-based entities with significant operational capabilities within the country. The structured application involves multiple phases, starting with an eligibility form submission that outlines the project’s strategic alignment with Scale AI’s objectives. Detailed proposals further delineate the technical and operational credentials of the participating teams, focusing heavily on innovation, ecosystem impact, and tangible business benefits.
Notably, the initiative places significant emphasis on strategic alignment with national AI goals—encouraging the adoption and democratization of AI solutions while promoting industry-academic collaborations. The chosen projects must exhibit potential for significant ecosystem impact, such as intellectual property creation, job generation, and enhancing educational frameworks within the AI domain.
From a financial perspective, Scale AI aims to support eligible projects by covering up to 50% of project costs, subject to a comprehensive assessment of the project’s financial plans and projected impacts. This funding mechanism allows for substantial financial backing, ensuring projects with robust financial models have the resources they need to succeed.
The Scale AI Initiative for Generative AI is not just about funding; it is about forging a community of innovators who are equipped and motivated to drive technological advancement across Canada. By integrating AI into the core of business operations, this initiative strives to create sustainable advancements that bolster Canada’s economic resilience and leadership in AI technology.
