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Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption
Support for responsible AI adoption and integration in British Columbia
Funding available
$ 200,000 - $ 5,000,000
Deadline
November 23, 2026
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least three years, with 5 to 500 full-time equivalent employees, undertaking an AI adoption and integration project.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia offers businesses repayable contributions of $200,000 to $5 million, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, to adopt AI and improve productivity or competitiveness. Projects may integrate AI into business processes or products, modernize data, and deploy automation and robotics.
/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
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 5-500 employees
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Adopting AI technology by integrating it into business processes or products to improve productivity or competitiveness.
- Supporting AI adoption and integration through AI readiness assessments, data modernization, predictive analytics, decision-support systems, automation and robotics, AI-enabled operational improvements, and deployment of Canadian-made AI solutions.
- Strengthening productivity, competitiveness, and resilience through cybersecurity measures, responsible AI governance, and supply chain optimization and integration.
- Building organizational readiness for AI through employee awareness and training, workforce development, and change management.
Documents Needed
- A completed online application submitted through the PacifiCan application portal.
- A completed RAII Supplemental Form.
- A completed Detailed Budget Worksheet.
- A completed business or project plan.
- Externally prepared financial statements for the past two complete financial years and current interim financial statements.
- Confirmation of project funding from other sources.
Sources and recorded changes
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least three years, with 5 to 500 full-time equivalent employees, undertaking an AI adoption and integration project.
Who is not eligible
Applicants that do not meet the incorporation, British Columbia operating-history, or 5-to-500 FTE requirements for adoption projects.
The current business intake applies to incorporated businesses. Future intakes for non-profit organizations and SMEs are announced for investments starting after April 1, 2027.
Eligible expenses
- Direct labour costs
- Equipment and machinery; supplies, inputs, and materials
- Contractor costs and professional, advisory, and technical service fees
- Travel essential to the project
- Other costs related to technology development and commercial demonstration, marketing, intellectual property, or access to AI-related infrastructure, hardware, software, and facility upgrades
Ineligible Costs and Activities
Routine purchases of off-the-shelf AI software without significant customization and integration for specific operational needs.
Unreasonable, non-incremental or unrelated costs.
Land and buildings; salary bonuses and dividends; hospitality and entertainment; refinancing existing debts; investment losses; amortization or depreciation; taxes; lobbying and advocacy; membership fees and donations.
Costs incurred before the project funding start date.
Ongoing operating costs, including routine software subscriptions and licence renewals.
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses must be operating in British Columbia.
Selection criteria
- Alignment with program objectives and priorities.
- Clear and lasting economic benefits for British Columbia and Canadians, including job creation and revenue growth.
- Capacity to execute, including financial capacity, management capability, data security and governance, and responsible AI deployment.
- Funding confirmed from other sources.
- Market demand.
How to apply
- Review the eligibility requirements and the Applicant Guide.
- Prepare the application, Supplemental Form, Detailed Budget Worksheet, business or project plan, financial statements, and funding confirmation.
- Open the PacifiCan application portal and select BC (PacifiCan) – Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII – Business).
- Upload all mandatory supporting documents and submit the completed application before November 23, 2026 at noon Pacific time.
- Contact PacifiCan at PacifiCan.RAII-IRIA@pacifican.gc.ca or 1-888-338-9378 for assistance. Incomplete or unsubmitted applications cannot proceed to assessment.
Processing and Agreement
- After submitting the full application and all required supporting documents, applicants can check their application status in the application portal.
- PacifiCan reimburses claims submitted by recipients whose projects receive funding.
- Recipients must submit regular progress reports and financial statements with funding claims throughout the project, from implementation through the end of the repayment period.
Additional information
- Information provided by applicants may be shared with other federal departments and agencies, provincial or territorial governments, and municipal governments to review projects and determine eligibility for other Government of Canada programs.
- Automated systems and artificial intelligence may be used to assist with application review and assessment.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British ColumbiaSupports AI commercialization and adoption in British Columbia
Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption Program
What is the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption?
The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia offers businesses repayable contributions of $200,000 to $5 million, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, to adopt AI and improve productivity or competitiveness. Projects may integrate AI into business processes or products, modernize data, and deploy automation and robotics.
How much funding can be received?
Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is November 23, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption program?
To be eligible for the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption program, you must:
Incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least three years, with 5 to 500 full-time equivalent employees.
Projects must integrate AI into business processes or products to improve productivity or competitiveness.
Applicants must demonstrate expected economic benefits and confirm at least 50% of project funding from non-government sources.
What expenses are eligible under Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption?
Direct labour costs
Equipment and machinery; supplies, inputs, and materials
Contractor costs and professional, advisory, and technical service fees
Travel essential to the project
Other costs related to technology development and commercial demonstration, marketing, intellectual property, or access to AI-related infrastructure, hardware, software, and facility upgrades
Who can I contact for more information about the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at PacifiCan.RAII-IRIA@pacifican.gc.ca or by phone at 1-888-338-9378.
Where is the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption available?
The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia — AI Adoption program is available the province of British Columbia.