Accelerate Your AI Innovation with Canada’s New AI Compute Access Fund

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, but the steep cost of high-performance computing (HPC) power can be a major obstacle for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To address this, the federal government has introduced the AI Compute Access Fund, a new initiative to help SMEs advance their AI capabilities. 

As part of the $2 billion Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy, the federal government has allocated up to $300 million total funding through this new program to help SMEs access the HPC resources they need to develop and commercialize AI solutions.  

“The AI Compute Access Fund will help break down barriers and empower businesses and entrepreneurs to develop made-in-Canada solutions. By supporting Canadians across the country in accessing world-class computing infrastructure, we will boost productivity, drive economic growth, and ensure that Canada’s digital future is secure and innovative.” 
– Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario 

This newly announced capital investment and technology adoption funding program aims to level the playing field in AI innovation, enabling Canadian SMEs to compete globally in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. 

 

Strategic Investment in Canada’s AI Ecosystem 

The Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy is a major investment strategy to support building AI infrastructure and advance Canadian innovation. Key aspects include: 

• $300 million allocated to the AI Compute Access Fund, providing affordable compute power to Canadian SMEs developing AI solutions; and 
• $700 million dedicated to supporting projects from industry, academia, and the private sector to build Canadian AI data centres; and 
• $705 million for a new AI supercomputing system through the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program, significantly enhancing Canada’s compute power; and 
• $200 million to augment existing public compute infrastructure, addressing immediate needs. 

These funding investments aim to scale Canada’s AI industry, increase productivity, and drive AI adoption across the country, ensuring that Canadian innovators have the tools they need to compete globally and contribute to economic growth and national security. 

Funding Snapshot: AI Compute Access Fund 

High-performance computing is essential for developing advanced AI applications, but the associated costs can be restricting for SMEs. The AI Compute Access Fund addresses this challenge by offering financial support to eligible Canadian SMEs. 

Funding Amount: 

• $100,000 to $5 million per project. 
• Up to 66% of eligible costs for Canadian cloud-based AI compute services. 
• Up to 50% of eligible costs for non-Canadian cloud-based services. 

Eligible Expenses: 

• Cloud-based AI compute resources (contracts must be in place or in progress). 
• Compute services required to train, test, and deploy AI models for commercialization. 

Applicant Eligibility: 

• For-profit businesses registered and operating in Canada; and 
• Fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees; and 
• Canada-based research and development (R&D) team; and 
• Must be revenue-generating or have secured at least Series A financing; and 
• Actively developing AI products or services with a clear commercialization pathway. 

Project Eligibility: 

• Projects should demonstrate potential for productivity improvements, economic impact, and alignment with Canada’s AI innovation goals. 
• Projects that require high-performance computing for AI model development. 
• Must support the commercialization of made-in-Canada AI products or services. 
• Project activities must be completed by March 31, 2028. 

Ineligible Projects Include: 

Funding does not cover:  

• Routine IT operations or maintenance. 
• Non-AI-related R&D or general business software upgrades. 
• Activities not directly related to AI model training, testing, or deployment. 

Application Timeline: 

• Statement of Interest Intake Open: June 25, 2025. 
• Application Deadline: July 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. 

Additional AI Funding Programs in Canada 

Beyond the AI Compute Access Fund, Canadian SMEs can explore additional government funding programs including: 

• Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF): Supports large-scale projects across various sectors, including digital industries and clean technology. 

• Mitacs Programs: Offers research and training programs in partnership with academia, industry, and government, facilitating innovation and commercialization. 

• National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP): Provides advisory services and funding to help SMEs undertake technology innovation. 

• Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP): Assists SMEs in adopting digital technologies to enhance competitiveness. 

These funding programs collectively aim to foster a robust AI ecosystem by providing financial support, resources, and expertise to Canadian innovators. 

If your business is ready to accelerate AI innovation but needs support navigating the application process, our Ryan Canada government funding team is here to help. Our experts can assess your eligibility, identify the best funding opportunities for your AI initiatives, and guide you through every step of the application. Get in touch today.