Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative Deadlines by Region 2026: Nov 20, 23 and 24

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) is a $700 million federal program that funds AI adoption and AI commercialization in Canadian businesses. It is part of AI for All, Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, and it is delivered by the seven regional development agencies, each with its own intake dates and terms. Three of those intakes close within 16 days of November 8, 2026. ACOA's Atlantic-wide call for proposals takes expressions of interest until November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ADT) as printed, 12 days away, from SMEs requesting at least $1 million. PacifiCan's business intake in British Columbia is open until 12:00 pm Pacific time on November 23, 2026, 15 days away, for $200,000 to $5 million per project. FedDev Ontario asks southern Ontario businesses to apply by November 24, 2026, 16 days away, if their eligible costs start before March 31, 2027, with a final deadline of January 19, 2027 at 4:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and $125,000 to $5 million per project. Every date and figure in this guide was read from the agencies' official pages on November 8, 2026, and the sources are linked at the end.

The money comes in two parts. The original $200 million over five years dates from 2024. On October 13, 2026 the government announced a further $500 million over five years, which brings total federal funding for the initiative to $700 million. The same day, ACOA launched its call for proposals and FedDev Ontario reopened its intake.

The other four regions take applications continuously. PrairiesCan accepts RAII applications in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba until December 31, 2030 according to its program page and its October 22, 2026 news release, although an older apply page still shows December 31, 2029. Its contributions run from $250,000 to $5 million per project. CED in Quebec lists the initiative as "Accepting Applications", publishes no amounts, and runs it to March 31, 2031. FedNor in Northern Ontario assesses applications as they are received, publishes no deadline or cap, and updated its page on November 3, 2026. CanNor in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon is accepting applications for projects starting in 2026-27 and tells applicants to contact operations@cannor.gc.ca.

This guide puts the seven intakes side by side: the dates, the money, the business terms, what each agency funds and does not fund, how each application process works, and how RAII stacks with SR&ED and IRAP. For southern Ontario detail, read our FedDev Ontario RAII guide. If you would rather hand the file to someone, GrantOps builds and files it from your own records.

RAII Deadlines by Region as of November 8, 2026

The three dated intakes first, soonest at the top. Days left are counted from November 8, 2026.

Two cautions on the clock times. ACOA prints the time zone as "(ADT)" and does not say more, so do not plan around the last hour. PacifiCan's intake closes at noon, not midnight.

The four continuous intakes have no closing date for the current round. Status wording is quoted from each official page.

The national ISED page adds one line worth remembering: "Dates for the opening of application intake may vary. Please visit your RDA website for more information." The regional page always wins.

What RAII Funds

Every agency organizes RAII around the same three kinds of work. The names shift slightly from region to region, but the substance does not.

Stream 1, AI adoption. A business that already operates buys, integrates and operationalizes AI to improve productivity, competitiveness, growth and resilience. ACOA's page lists AI implementation, automation, predictive analytics, operational improvements, data modernization and process optimization, plus organizational readiness work such as change management, workforce awareness, cybersecurity and responsible-AI measures. PacifiCan describes it as "integrating AI into business processes or products". FedDev Ontario funds the purchase and installation of AI solutions beyond commonly available tools, together with the data governance, training and cybersecurity work that makes the adoption stick.

Stream 2, AI commercialization and scale-up. A company that develops Canadian AI validates, commercializes, deploys and scales it. ACOA names technology demonstrations, pilot deployments, product refinement, customer validation, market readiness, first commercial sales, procurement readiness, IP development and supply-chain integration. PacifiCan calls it "developing late-stage products" and "demonstrating technology". This is the stream for AI start-ups, and every agency that publishes a threshold sets a minimum technology readiness level for it.

Stream 3, AI ecosystem. Not-for-profit organizations that help many businesses adopt or commercialize AI. FedDev Ontario runs an AI Ecosystem stream at $125,000 to $10 million, non-repayable, up to 90% of costs, and requires an IP policy and a track record of serving multiple businesses. FedNor and CanNor list "AI Ecosystem" as their third stream. PrairiesCan calls it "ecosystem enablement". ACOA's infographic names ecosystem enablement as one of three areas of support, but its current call excludes not-for-profits, and PacifiCan has pushed not-for-profit intakes to a later round.

Technology readiness thresholds by agency

The commercialization stream is where the agencies differ most. Each threshold below is as printed on the agency's RAII page or guide.

TRL 6 means a prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment. TRL 7 means a prototype demonstrated in an operational environment. If your model works only in the lab, RAII is not yet your program. That earlier work belongs with SR&ED or IRAP.

What RAII does not fund

ACOA's page is the most explicit, and the other agencies' rules point the same way. ACOA lists five things it will not support under RAII:

• "routine software purchases"
• "standard ERP implementations"
• "general IT modernization projects"
• "training-only initiatives"
• "projects where AI is not central to the proposed outcomes"

PacifiCan states that "Funding is not intended to support routine purchases of off-the-shelf AI software without significant customization", and lists "routine software subscriptions and license renewals" among ineligible operating costs. FedDev Ontario frames adoption as AI "beyond commonly available AI tools". PrairiesCan excludes ongoing operating costs and research at TRL 1 to 5.

Across the agencies the recurring ineligible items are land and buildings, refinancing of existing debt, dividends and bonuses, amortization and goodwill, and costs that are not incremental to the project. FedNor also excludes retail and service-based businesses from RAII itself.

Priority sectors

PacifiCan, PrairiesCan, CED, FedNor and FedDev Ontario all name the same five national priority sectors: health and life sciences, energy and natural resources, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing and robotics. CED and FedDev Ontario tie them to adoption projects in particular. ACOA adds oceans and aquaculture, seafood processing and clean technology as particularly relevant to Atlantic Canada, while saying projects from all eligible sectors may be considered. PrairiesCan requires projects to focus on one of its priority areas, which include advanced manufacturing, clean resources, clean technology, digital industries, health and bio-sciences, value-added natural resource processing and value-added agriculture.

Terms Compared

The table carries each agency's business terms exactly as its pages state them. "Not published" means the official RAII page, FAQ or guide does not state the item as of November 8, 2026. The pillar guide to the regional development agencies covers the agencies' other programs.

Three patterns stand out. First, PacifiCan and FedDev Ontario publish the most complete terms and use nearly identical eligibility tests, while ACOA's competitive call publishes the least. Second, interest-free status is stated only by PacifiCan, FedDev Ontario and PrairiesCan. ACOA, CED and FedNor say "repayable" and leave the rest to the agreement. Third, FedNor caps its share by cost type rather than by a single percentage, so a capital-heavy Northern Ontario project gets 50% while a labour-heavy one can reach 75%.

How Each Agency Runs Its RAII Intake

Seven agencies, seven processes. The mechanics below are the ones that trip people up: which form, which portal, who to call first, and what the status wording means.

ACOA (Atlantic Canada)

ACOA runs the RAII in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador as a competitive, Atlantic-wide call for proposals. The official page says "ACOA is accepting expressions of interest through an Atlantic-wide Call for Proposals under the RAII." and "The call for proposals closes on November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ADT)." The call launched October 13, 2026. ACOA is delivering over $55 million under RAII, and the Atlantic region is receiving nearly $40 million of the October 2026 top-up.

Who can apply: "Atlantic Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses that meet existing eligibility requirements under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program." The FAQ says the call is open both to businesses that have worked with ACOA before and to new applicants. Indigenous-led businesses are eligible and may qualify for enhanced support. AI start-ups may apply under the commercialization and scale-up stream. Who should not apply: not-for-profit organizations, which "are not eligible applicants under this Call for Proposals", and any business whose request is below $1 million.

How much: "The funding contribution requested must be a minimum of $1M." No maximum, cost share or interest terms are published. "Funding is provided as a repayable contribution", and repayment provisions "will be discussed with applicants as part of the application and due diligence process."

How to apply, in ACOA's three steps. Step 1: submit an expression of interest through the online EOI form by downloading the EOI template, completing it and uploading it with any supporting documents. Step 2: competitive assessment after the deadline, in which EOIs are "assessed and ranked against common evaluation criteria". Step 3: "Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full funding application through MyACOA." Receipt of an EOI is not approval. Questions go to the ACOA Contact Network at acn-rca@acoa-apeca.gc.ca or 1-833-514-3568, Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, Atlantic time.

Read the official RAII page before you start. On grantops.ai: the ACOA RAII program page, the ACOA funding guide, and the provincial hubs for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

PacifiCan (British Columbia)

PacifiCan's page, modified November 5, 2026, reads: "Currently accepting applications from businesses seeking funding beginning in 2026-27. Intake is open until 12:00 pm Pacific time on November 23, 2026." That is noon, not midnight. PacifiCan says it "is focusing early investments on businesses", and that "Future intakes will be available for non-profit organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for investments starting after April 1, 2027."

Who can apply: for adoption projects, "incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least three years with 5 to 500 full-time equivalent employees". For commercialization projects, "incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least one year with 1 to 500 full-time equivalent employees". Who should not apply in this round: not-for-profits, and businesses whose investment starts after April 1, 2027.

How much: "$200,000 to $5 million in PacifiCan contributions per project", as "Interest-free repayable contributions". Repayment "Begins one year after project completion", is "Repaid in monthly installments over five years", with "No collateral required or penalty for early repayment". PacifiCan pays "Up to 50% of eligible project costs incurred", and "At least 50% of project funding must come from non-government sources and be confirmed at time of application". Indigenous businesses may be eligible for more flexible terms. Costs must be incurred between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2031, and may be retroactive up to 12 months before the application is received.

How to apply: through the PacifiCan funding application portal, attaching the RAII Supplemental Form (PDF), the Detailed Budget Worksheet (XLSX), the Technology Questionnaire (PDF) for commercialization projects, externally prepared financial statements for two years plus interim statements, and confirmation of funding from all other sources. One line to take seriously: "Applications that are started but not submitted will not be assessed." PacifiCan also notes that automated systems or artificial intelligence may assist its review. Contact 1-888-338-9378 or PacifiCan.RAII-IRIA@pacifican.gc.ca.

Read the official RAII page and its sub-pages. On grantops.ai: the PacifiCan RAII program page, the PacifiCan funding guide and the British Columbia grants hub.

FedDev Ontario (southern Ontario)

FedDev Ontario covers the 37 census divisions from Cornwall to Windsor. Its RAII page reads "Intake period: Open" and "Applications are being accepted from October 13, 2026, to January 19, 2027, 4:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time." Then the line that matters this month: "Apply by November 24, 2026, if your proposed project and eligible costs start before March 31, 2027." The October 13, 2026 news release puts it more firmly: such projects "must be submitted by November 24, 2026."

For businesses, contributions run "Between $125,000 up to a maximum of $5 million per project", and "Funding is fully repayable and interest-free", with repayment normally beginning one year after completion. FedDev pays a maximum of 50% and the applicant a minimum of 50%. The AI Adoption stream needs at least 3 years of operations and at least 5 full-time equivalent employees. The AI Commercialization and Scale-Up stream needs at least 1 year of operations, at least 1 FTE in southern Ontario and a solution at TRL 6 or above. Both streams cap at under 500 FTEs. Projects may start up to 12 months before the application date and must be completed by March 31, 2031.

Two rules are unique to FedDev. "Your business can only submit one application to FedDev Ontario at a time." If you have an application under assessment through RAII or any other FedDev program, you must receive a decision or withdraw it first. And the application is a fillable PDF, not a portal: download both the Application for Funding and the RAII Supplemental Form to a computer, since tablets and phones cannot be used, complete them with the Application Guide open, and submit from inside the PDF. Not-for-profits and municipalities apply on the same dates under the organization streams, non-repayable at up to 90%, and the same one-application rule applies to them.

Read the official RAII page and the Apply as a business page for the forms. Our FedDev Ontario RAII guide walks through every question, cost category and assessment criterion, so this post does not repeat them. The FedDev Ontario funding guide covers the agency's other programs, and the Ontario grants hub lists provincial options. Contact 1-866-593-5505 or info@feddevontario.gc.ca.

PrairiesCan (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba)

PrairiesCan's program page, dated October 26, 2026, carries the heading "Intake open" and the sentence "Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until December 31, 2030, or until funding has been fully committed or otherwise announced here." The October 22, 2026 news release repeats December 31, 2030. The older application-process page, dated October 16, 2026, still says December 31, 2029. Cite the later date, but do not treat either as a reason to wait, because the intake also closes when funding is committed. "All projects must be completed by March 31, 2031."

Who can apply: SMEs commercializing or adopting AI, and not-for-profit organizations such as incubators and accelerators. The detailed eligibility sub-page was not among the pages read for this guide, so years-in-operation and FTE tests are not published here. Projects must focus on one of PrairiesCan's priority areas.

How much: "PrairiesCan contributions must range between $250,000 to $5 million per project over a maximum of 3 years." The applicant guide adds that "Total support to any one organization cannot exceed $10 million over the life of the program (2024-2031)" and that "Organizations are limited to one RAII project approval per calendar year." Businesses "can receive interest-free repayable funding" at up to 50% of eligible costs. Not-for-profits receive non-repayable funding at up to 90%, except that commercial not-for-profit projects will normally be repayable. Costs may be retroactive up to 12 months before a signed application is received, but no earlier than April 16, 2024.

How to apply: a "2-stage continuous intake approach". First an expression of interest through the PrairiesCan portal with "an RAII attestation and supplemental form", then an invited full application. "We encourage you to contact us prior to submitting an EOI." Call 1-888-338-9378.

Read the official RAII page and the application process page. On grantops.ai: the PrairiesCan RAII program page, the PrairiesCan funding guide, and the hubs for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

CED (Quebec)

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions lists the RAII as "Ongoing Program" and "Accepting Applications" on a page dated October 13, 2026. No deadline appears in English or French. The July 15, 2026 news release states that "The RAII is being implemented by CED in Quebec up to March 31, 2031." CED's share of the original envelope was $38.2 million over 2024 to 2029. On July 15, 2026 the agency announced $13,852,374 in RAII contributions for 63 Quebec organizations.

Who can apply, in CED's words:

• "SMEs that commercialize or develop AI technologies or solutions, including start-ups"
• "SMEs that are ready to adopt AI technologies or solutions"
• "NPOs that support SMEs in developing, commercializing or adopting AI technologies"
• "Indigenous-led businesses and NPOs, including individual businesses"

Who should not apply: "Municipalities" and "Public agencies, including health and social services agencies, schools and school boards".

How much: no minimum or maximum is published. "For SMEs: Repayable financial support up to 50% of authorized costs." "For NPOs: Generally non-repayable financial support up to 90% of authorized costs". The RAII page does not state interest terms, although CED's other REGI pages describe their repayable support as "repayable, without interest". One timing rule is strict: "Costs are eligible from the date the application is submitted."

How to apply: CED does not publish a form. Its guide says to "Contact us to get in touch with the team at your regional business office, who will determine whether your project is eligible", after which "an application form for financial assistance will be sent to your Client Space by a business office team member." Call 1-800-561-0633 or use the online contact form. Representatives who help you must be registered in the Registry of Lobbyists, and their fees cannot be reimbursed.

Read the official RAII page and the Apply for financial assistance guide. On grantops.ai: the CED RAII program page, the CED Quebec funding guide and the Quebec grants hub.

FedNor (Northern Ontario)

FedNor serves the 12 census divisions of Northern Ontario, from Muskoka and Parry Sound north to Kenora. Its RAII page was updated November 3, 2026. It prints no deadline, no intake window and no cap. Instead: "All applications will be assessed as they are received." and "Approval may also depend upon funding availability." The page also lacks the "limited budget availability" warning that sits on FedNor's REGI and NODP pages.

Who can apply: "Incorporated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Indigenous-led businesses with projects commercializing and/or adopting AI technologies and solutions", and "Incorporated not-for-profit entities, such as municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and post-secondary institutions, providing services to businesses". Who should not apply: "Retail and service-based businesses will not be considered under this program." FedNor normally expects two years of operations, and "Commercialization projects are at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or higher."

How much: "The actual contribution amount will be based on the minimum amount required to carry out the project." For-profit applicants receive repayable funding, with "terms of repayment ... determined during the development of the contribution agreement", covering "up to 50% of eligible capital costs and up to 75% for eligible non-capital costs". Total government funding is capped at the same 50% and 75%. Not-for-profits receive non-repayable funding at up to 90%, with total government funding up to 100%. Costs may be retroactive 12 months, but no earlier than April 16, 2024.

How to apply: "The application process is two phases and submitted through the FedNor self-service portal." The portal at portal-portail.fednor.gc.ca uses credentials created through a MyISED Account and GCKey or a Sign-In Partner. FedNor asks you to "call 1-877-333-6673 to discuss your proposal with a FedNor Officer" first.

Read the official RAII page and the FedNor client portal page. On grantops.ai: the FedNor RAII program page and the FedNor funding guide.

CanNor (Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon)

CanNor's RAII page, dated October 14, 2026, says: "Applications are currently being accepted for projects starting in fiscal year 2026-2027." No deadline, amount, repayment term or cost share is published, and CanNor's share of the national envelope is not stated on the page.

Who can apply, in CanNor's words:

• "Businesses such as partnerships, social enterprises, incorporated companies, corporations, co-operatives, and Indigenous-owned businesses"
• "Not-for-profit organizations such as sectoral/industry associations, post-secondary educational institutions, etc."
• "Indigenous-led not-for-profits and organizations"
• "Municipal, provincial, or territorial governments, including crown corporations"

The page numbers three streams: Adoption, Commercialization and AI Ecosystem.

How to apply: "For more information on this fund, including how to apply, contact operations@cannor.gc.ca or reach out to your CanNor Regional Office." The offices are in Iqaluit at 1-855-897-2667, Yellowknife at 867-669-2608 and Whitehorse at 867-667-3346. CanNor's agency-wide service standards promise an acknowledgement within 10 business days of a signed application and a funding decision within 90 net business days of a signed and complete application, 90% of the time.

Read the official RAII page. On grantops.ai: the CanNor RAII program page and the CanNor funding guide. There is no territory page in our provincial grants hub.

If You Miss November 24

November 24, 2026 is the last of the three dated intakes this month, but it is not the end of RAII for 2026-27. Here is what remains open afterwards, as of November 8, 2026.

• FedDev Ontario continues to accept applications until the final deadline of January 19, 2027 at 4:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The November 24 date is for projects whose eligible costs start before March 31, 2027. FedDev does not say what happens to an early-start project submitted after November 24, so plan to compete for the following fiscal year if you miss it.
• PacifiCan says "Future intakes will be available for non-profit organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for investments starting after April 1, 2027." Dates are not published. Interested non-profits can write to PacifiCan.RAII-IRIA@pacifican.gc.ca now.
• ACOA has not published whether a second call will follow. Its FAQ says only that selected applicants from this call will be invited to submit a full application, and that funding levels will vary with available funding.
• PrairiesCan stays open on a continuous basis until December 31, 2030 or until funding is committed, with projects to be completed by March 31, 2031.
• CED lists the initiative as ongoing and accepting applications, running to March 31, 2031.
• FedNor assesses applications as they are received, with no deadline printed.
• CanNor is accepting applications for projects starting in 2026-27, by email.

A missed date in one region is not transferable to another. Eligibility follows where the business is located and operating. If you are weighing RAII against other programs that close in the next few weeks, the November 2026 grants roundup and the pillar guide to the regional development agencies list them.

Stacking RAII with SR&ED and IRAP

RAII pays for adoption, deployment and scale-up. The federal research programs pay for the work before it. The two can sit on the same company, but the agencies set caps on total government assistance, and some of them say so plainly.

FedDev Ontario is the most direct. Its "How funding works" page states that "other government assistance includes Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives. Exclude SR&ED eligible costs from your application when possible". Its Application Guide sets the ceiling: "Total government assistance (federal, provincial and municipal) cannot exceed 50% of eligible capital costs and 75% of eligible non-capital costs. Government assistance is permitted up to 100% of eligible costs for projects led by Indigenous applicants." In practice, the experimental development that resolves a technological uncertainty stays in the SR&ED claim, and the integration, infrastructure, compliance and go-to-market work goes to RAII.

PacifiCan keeps total government support at "no more than 50%" of eligible costs and says SR&ED and other tax credits count toward that figure. It also requires that at least 50% of project funding come from non-government sources and be confirmed at the time of application. A British Columbia company therefore cannot use an expected SR&ED refund as its matching share.

PrairiesCan allows total government funding "up to 50% eligible capital costs and 75% of other eligible costs for businesses or commercial projects", and up to 100% for non-commercial projects and Indigenous recipients. FedNor applies the same 50% capital and 75% non-capital ceiling to all government funding on for-profit projects, and 100% on not-for-profit projects.

ACOA, CED and CanNor publish no stacking rule on their RAII pages. Ask the program officer before you set the budget, and document the answer.

NRC IRAP contributions are federal assistance, so where an agency caps total government assistance, an IRAP contribution to the same cost counts against the cap. The clean approach is to keep the costs separate: IRAP or SR&ED for the R&D phase, RAII for the commercialization or adoption phase, and no cost claimed twice. FedDev Ontario also notes that a technical assessment of a RAII application may be carried out by NRC IRAP or another external party.

How to Apply: Step by Step

The forms differ by agency, but the sequence is the same everywhere.

1. Find your agency and check its intake date. Match your province or territory to its regional development agency, then read the intake wording on that agency's RAII page. As of November 8, 2026 the dated intakes are ACOA on November 20, PacifiCan on November 23 and FedDev Ontario on November 24, 2026.
2. Pick a stream and test your eligibility. Decide whether the project adopts AI into your operations or commercializes a Canadian AI product. Check the agency's size, years-in-operation and technology readiness tests, and confirm your business is not in an excluded category such as retail or service-based businesses where the agency lists one.
3. Contact the agency before you file. CED requires a conversation with a regional business office before it sends an application form. PrairiesCan, FedNor and CanNor ask you to contact them first, and ACOA runs a Contact Network. Use the call to confirm the stream and the intake.
4. Build the budget and confirm matching funds. Separate capital from non-capital costs, date every cost, and line up the non-government share, which is at least 50% at PacifiCan and FedDev Ontario. Keep SR&ED-eligible R&D out of the RAII budget where the agency asks.
5. Complete the agency's forms. ACOA takes an expression of interest form before any full application. PacifiCan and PrairiesCan use their online portals plus a supplemental form. FedDev Ontario takes an Application for Funding and a RAII Supplemental Form by PDF. FedNor uses a two-phase portal process. CanNor starts by email.
6. Submit before the printed time and keep the confirmation. Submit ahead of the clock time and time zone printed on the official page, keep the acknowledgement, and prepare for the contribution agreement, which at FedDev Ontario must be signed within 30 days of notification with matching funding confirmed.

How GrantOps Handles a RAII Application

A RAII file is a narrative, a budget and a stack of attachments, and the parts that score are the ones backed by evidence: what the AI will change in the business, what it costs by category and by fiscal year, who will do the work, and how the company will repay. GrantOps connects to the engineering, finance and project tools your company already runs and builds that file from your own records. The technical narrative comes from your repositories and tickets, the budget from your accounting system, and the headcount and years-in-operation tests from your payroll and incorporation records.

Every number stays traceable. The program officer can follow a cost from the application back to the invoice, and so can an auditor years later when the repayment schedule is running. GrantOps also keeps SR&ED-eligible costs out of the RAII budget where the agency asks, so the two claims never overlap, and it tracks the intake dates across all seven agencies so that a November 20 expression of interest, a November 23 portal submission and a November 24 PDF do not land on the same afternoon.

You approve every submission before it goes out. Start free, or book 30 minutes and we will map your project to the right stream.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative?

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, or RAII, is a federal program under AI for All, Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. It funds businesses that adopt AI into their operations, businesses that commercialize or scale Canadian AI products, and not-for-profit projects that build the AI ecosystem. The original $200 million from 2024 was expanded on October 13, 2026 by $500 million over five years, for $700 million in total. The money is delivered by the seven regional development agencies, so the intake dates, amounts and terms depend on where your business is located and operating.

Which RAII deadlines are closest as of November 8, 2026?

Three. ACOA's Atlantic-wide call for proposals takes expressions of interest until November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ADT) as printed, 12 days away. PacifiCan's business intake in British Columbia is open until 12:00 pm Pacific time on November 23, 2026, 15 days away. FedDev Ontario asks southern Ontario applicants to apply by November 24, 2026, 16 days away, if their eligible costs start before March 31, 2027, and its final deadline is January 19, 2027 at 4:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. PrairiesCan, CED, FedNor and CanNor accept applications continuously and publish no closing date for the current intake.

Does the RAII have the same terms in every region?

No. Each agency sets its own amounts and tests. PacifiCan funds $200,000 to $5 million, FedDev Ontario $125,000 to $5 million and PrairiesCan $250,000 to $5 million, all interest-free and repayable at up to 50% of eligible costs for businesses. ACOA's current call requires a minimum request of $1 million and publishes no maximum or cost share. CED publishes rates but no amounts: SMEs repayable up to 50%, not-for-profits generally non-repayable up to 90%. FedNor and CanNor publish no caps. Technology readiness thresholds also vary, from TRL 6 at FedDev Ontario and CED to TRL 7 at FedNor and TRL 7 to 9 at PacifiCan.

Is RAII funding a grant or a loan?

For businesses it is a repayable contribution in every region that publishes terms. PacifiCan, FedDev Ontario and PrairiesCan state that the contribution is interest-free, and PacifiCan and FedDev Ontario say repayment normally begins one year after the project is completed. ACOA, CED and FedNor describe the funding as repayable without stating interest terms on their RAII pages. Not-for-profit organizations are treated differently: FedDev Ontario, PrairiesCan, CED and FedNor publish non-repayable contributions of up to 90% of costs for eligible not-for-profits. CanNor publishes no repayment terms. None of the agencies calls RAII business funding a grant.

Can a not-for-profit apply to the RAII right now?

It depends on the region. FedDev Ontario accepts applications from incorporated not-for-profits and municipalities under its AI Adoption stream, $125,000 to $5 million, and from not-for-profits under its AI Ecosystem stream, $125,000 to $10 million, both non-repayable at up to 90% and on the same dates as businesses. PrairiesCan, CED, FedNor and CanNor list not-for-profits as eligible applicants in their continuous intakes. ACOA's FAQ says not-for-profit organizations are not eligible under the current call for proposals. PacifiCan says future intakes will be available for non-profit organizations for investments starting after April 1, 2027.

Can I combine RAII with SR&ED or IRAP?

Yes, within the stacking limits each agency publishes. FedDev Ontario caps total government assistance at 50% of eligible capital costs and 75% of eligible non-capital costs, counts SR&ED tax incentives as government assistance, and asks you to exclude SR&ED-eligible costs from your RAII application when possible. PacifiCan keeps total government support at no more than 50%, and SR&ED and other tax credits count toward that cap. PrairiesCan and FedNor use the same 50% capital and 75% other-costs ceiling for businesses. ACOA, CED and CanNor do not publish a stacking rule on their RAII pages, so ask the program officer before you budget.

What happens if I miss the November 24, 2026 FedDev Ontario date?

FedDev Ontario keeps accepting applications until January 19, 2027 at 4:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The November 24 date is for projects whose eligible costs start before March 31, 2027, which is the end of the federal fiscal year. FedDev does not say what happens to an early-start project submitted after November 24, so an application after that date should expect to compete for funding in the following fiscal year. Remember that FedDev costs may be retroactive up to 12 months before the application date, and that a business can have only one FedDev Ontario application under assessment at a time.

Which agency do I apply to for RAII?

Apply to the regional development agency for the place where your business is located and operating. ACOA covers Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. CED covers Quebec. FedDev Ontario covers southern Ontario, from Cornwall to Windsor across 37 census divisions. FedNor covers Northern Ontario, including the Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Sudbury, Algoma, Thunder Bay and Kenora districts. PrairiesCan covers Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. PacifiCan covers British Columbia. CanNor covers Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Each agency publishes its own RAII page, linked in the Sources section of this guide.

Sources

All program facts above were read on November 8, 2026 from the agencies' official pages.

• Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, ISED national page (national overview, links to every agency)
• Government of Canada expands support to adopt and commercialize AI (October 13, 2026 national release)
• RAII in Atlantic Canada, ACOA (call for proposals, November 20 deadline)
• RAII frequently asked questions, ACOA (key dates, eligibility, three-step process)
• Atlantic businesses to benefit from an additional $40 million for AI (October 13, 2026 ACOA release)
• RAII in British Columbia, PacifiCan (intake status, November 23 close)
• RAII funding overview, PacifiCan (amounts, repayment, cost window)
• RAII who can apply, PacifiCan (years and FTE tests)
• RAII how to apply, PacifiCan (portal, forms, attachments)
• RAII in Southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario (intake period, priority date, final deadline)
• RAII for businesses: Who can apply, FedDev Ontario (streams, eligibility tests)
• RAII for businesses: How funding works, FedDev Ontario (amounts, SR&ED exclusion note)
• RAII for businesses: When to apply, FedDev Ontario (one-application rule)
• RAII for businesses: Application guide, FedDev Ontario (stacking caps, TRL definitions)
• RAII for businesses: Apply as a business, FedDev Ontario (forms and submission)
• RAII for organizations: Who can apply, FedDev Ontario (not-for-profit and municipal streams)
• Government of Canada expands AI support in southern Ontario (October 13, 2026 FedDev release)
• RAII in the Prairie provinces, PrairiesCan (intake to December 31, 2030)
• RAII application process, PrairiesCan (two-stage EOI, older 2029 date)
• RAII program applicant guide, PrairiesCan (per-organization cap, one approval per year)
• Government of Canada expands AI support in the Prairie provinces (October 22, 2026 PrairiesCan release)
• Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, CED (status, rates, eligible applicants)
• Apply for financial assistance, CED (business office first, Client Space)
• Close to $14 million in AI investments for Quebec businesses (July 15, 2026 CED release, March 31, 2031 end date)
• RAII for Northern Ontario, FedNor (streams, shares, TRL 7, two-phase process)
• FedNor client portal (portal access)
• Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, CanNor (status, applicants, streams)
• Contact CanNor (regional office numbers)
• CanNor service standards (acknowledgement and decision timelines)