Open
Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces
Support for responsible AI commercialization and adoption
Last Update: June 25, 2026
Funding available
$ 250,000 - $ 5,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : December 31, 2028
Location
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Overview
The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) supports AI commercialization and adoption projects in the Prairie provinces. It funds Canadian businesses and not-for-profit organizations working on AI market development, integration, team building, and sector-focused adoption.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : December 31, 2028
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 1 employees minimum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Other Health Services
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Indigenous peoples
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Commercializing and adopting artificial intelligence technologies.
- Market diagnostics, development, customization, production expansion, and supply chain integration for AI technologies and solutions.
- Building and growing high-performance teams in AI start-ups and scale-ups.
- Strategically adopting or integrating AI technologies to drive innovation, growth, and productivity.
- Adopting or integrating AI through consulting, capacity building, talent attraction and retention, testing, and demonstrations.
Documents Needed
- Financial statements for the past 2 years
- Interim financial statements for at least the last 6 months
- Proof of other funding sources
- Business plan or pitch deck
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit businesses incorporated to conduct business in Canada.
- Not-for-profit organizations.
- Indigenous-led organizations and businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
Eligible expenses
- Labour costs, including wages and benefits
- Equipment and machinery purchases
- Professional, advisory, and technical services
- Intellectual property protection, subcontracting, and promotion costs
- Testing, research, innovation, and related specialized services
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Basic and applied research and development (TRL 1-6)
- Land acquisition and goodwill
- Lobbying, donations, dues, and membership fees
- Entertainment, bonuses, and dividend payments
- Debt refinancing, asset depreciation, and above-market asset purchases
Eligible geographic areas
- The prairie provinces.
Selection criteria
- Market potential
- Management capability
- Financial capacity
- Economic benefits
- Technology readiness for technology commercialization projects only
How to apply
- Go through the RAII EOI help guide before submitting.
- Prepare and submit the expression of interest using the online form.
- If your project is selected, provide more details through the online portal for the full application.
Processing and Agreement
- EOIs with the strongest merit and alignment with program objectives, priority areas and significant economic benefit will be invited to complete a full application and undergo detailed assessment.
- Within 30 days of the EOI submission, PrairiesCan will invite selected applicants to submit a full application for funding.
- If your project is approved, you will be expected to sign a contribution agreement within 30 days of being notified.
- PrairiesCan provides repayable and non-repayable funding in periodic reimbursements, based on submitted claims, for eligible project costs that have been incurred and paid.
- For repayable projects, reimbursements will be based on the approved portion of eligible project costs that have been incurred and paid.
Additional information
- Applications are accepted on a continuous basis until December 31, 2028.
- All projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.
- One RAII project approval per organization per calendar year.
- PrairiesCan may request additional information during review.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces Program
What is the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces?
The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) supports AI commercialization and adoption projects in the Prairie provinces. It funds Canadian businesses and not-for-profit organizations working on AI market development, integration, team building, and sector-focused adoption.
How much funding can be received?
Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces program?
To be eligible for the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces program, you must:
For-profit businesses must be incorporated to conduct business in Canada.
For-profit businesses must have staffed operating facilities in the prairie provinces.
Not-for-profit organizations must have an operating presence in the Prairies.
What expenses are eligible under Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces?
Commercializing and adopting artificial intelligence technologies.
Market diagnostics, development, customization, production expansion, and supply chain integration for AI technologies and solutions.
Building and growing high-performance teams in AI start-ups and scale-ups.
Strategically adopting or integrating AI technologies to drive innovation, growth, and productivity.
Adopting or integrating AI through consulting, capacity building, talent attraction and retention, testing, and demonstrations.
Who can I contact for more information about the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces?
You can contact Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) or by phone at 1-888-338-9378.
Where is the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces available?
The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces program is available the province of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan.
Is the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces is a Grant and Funding