Closed
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist
Supports Canadian SMEs in adopting and integrating advanced AI solutions
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 750,000 - $ 10,500,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist provides up to $10.5 million to support Canadian not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions in helping SMEs adopt and integrate artificial intelligence solutions. Eligible activities include delivering AI advisory services, in-person or virtual engagements, and developing action plans for the implementation of generative AI, deep neural networks, and deep learning technologies.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 750,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Delivery of AI advisory and knowledge services to Canadian SMEs to assess and integrate artificial intelligence into their business operations and offerings.
- Evaluation and guidance for SMEs on potential uses and integration of generative AI, deep neural networks, and deep learning technologies.
- Review of SME data quality, with considerations for governance, ethics, and privacy, to support responsible AI adoption.
- Preparation of tailored action plans and recommendations for SMEs on leveraging AI to achieve innovation and growth objectives.
- Provision of SME engagement services, including initial assessments and follow-up reporting, either in person or virtually.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada
- Canadian post-secondary institutions
Eligible expenses
- Salary costs for project personnel.
- Overhead costs (up to 30% of salary costs).
- Professional service rates.
- Contractor fees for Canadian contractors.
- Operating expenses directly related to project delivery.
- Portion of costs subject to government refunds, rebates, or credits (HST, GST, PST) that are not claimable by the applicant or contractors.
Eligible geographic areas
- All Canadian provinces and territories
Selection criteria
- Assessment of the Expression of Interest (EOI) and proposal based on an evaluation grid and alignment with NRC IRAP strategic investment priorities and objectives.
- Ranking according to the scores from NRC assessors’ reviews.
- Consideration of project fit with the specific objectives of the AI Assist initiative to support Canadian SMEs in AI adoption.
How to apply
- Step 1: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Request the EOI form by sending an email to NRC.IRAPctocfp-aapcaoPARI.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
- Complete the EOI form as instructed.
- Return the completed form by email to the same address, using the subject line "AI Assist Call for Proposals from Organizations - EOI submission."
- Submit the EOI no later than 5:00 pm ET on September 5, 2025.
- Step 2: EOI Review and Notification
- NRC assessors review and score submitted EOIs.
- EOIs are ranked and assessed based on strategic priorities and objectives.
- Applicants are notified of their EOI results by email.
- Step 3: Submit Full Proposal (Invitation Only)
- Invited applicants gain access to the NRC IRAP Innovation Portal (IIP).
- Prepare and upload the full proposal via the IIP by the deadline of 5:00 pm ET on October 31, 2025.
- Step 4: Proposal Review and Notification
- NRC assessors review and score the full proposals.
- NRC may require an in-person or virtual meeting as part of the assessment.
- Proposals are ranked and reviewed, and a pool of pre-qualified proposals is created.
- Applicants are notified of their proposal evaluation results via the portal.
- Step 5: Negotiation and Contribution Agreement
- Successful applicants negotiate and sign a contribution agreement with NRC IRAP.
- Applicants must sign a Research Security Requirements Attestation form, certifying no affiliation with entities on the Named Research Organization list.
- Step 6: Project Activation
- After the agreement is signed, the project is officially launched, and funding is disbursed as per the agreement terms and conditions.
Additional information
- A mandatory midterm review will assess project progress and financial status, potentially affecting continuation of funding.
- SMEs referred by NRC IRAP are required to pay a $500 flat fee per engagement, which must be included in budget planning.
- Each SME engagement is limited to up to 20 hours over a maximum of 4 months, with only one engagement per SME per fiscal year unless otherwise approved.
- Selected organizations are prohibited from using the project or its services for their own marketing purposes.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist Program
What is the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist?
The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist provides up to $10.5 million to support Canadian not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions in helping SMEs adopt and integrate artificial intelligence solutions. Eligible activities include delivering AI advisory services, in-person or virtual engagements, and developing action plans for the implementation of generative AI, deep neural networks, and deep learning technologies.
How much funding can be received?
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist program?
To be eligible for the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist program, you must:
Must be an incorporated not-for-profit organization or post-secondary institution operating in Canada.
Must have at least 3 years of experience delivering AI advisory services to SMEs.
Must have facilities and employees in Canada, file taxes, and maintain required insurance.
What expenses are eligible under Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist?
Delivery of AI advisory and knowledge services to Canadian SMEs to assess and integrate artificial intelligence into their business operations and offerings.
Evaluation and guidance for SMEs on potential uses and integration of generative AI, deep neural networks, and deep learning technologies.
Review of SME data quality, with considerations for governance, ethics, and privacy, to support responsible AI adoption.
Preparation of tailored action plans and recommendations for SMEs on leveraging AI to achieve innovation and growth objectives.
Provision of SME engagement services, including initial assessments and follow-up reporting, either in person or virtually.
Who can I contact for more information about the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at NRC.IRAPctocfp-aapcaoPARI.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Where is the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist available?
The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist program is available across Canada.
Is the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – AI Assist is a Grant and Funding