Amount: up to $15,000 in eligible costs.

In partnership with NRC-IRAP, the Industrial AI Readiness program offers eligible Canadian manufacturers up to $15,000 in funding to support the adoption of AI technologies that enhance productivity, improve workplace health and safety, and strengthen environmental performance.

The program is designed to help manufacturers better understand the skills, data, technology, and organizational capabilities needed to successfully adopt and implement AI within their operations. It is designed to help manufacturers prepare for AI adoption by:

• Matching businesses with trusted AI experts and solution providers
• Assessing organizational readiness for AI implementation
• Creating a clear roadmap for deploying AI technologies and achieving measurable business outcomes

Eligible AI implementation projects

  • Quality improvement – fewer defects, less rework
  • Equipment operating efficiency – reductions in downtime
  • Process efficiency – time and cost savings leading to increased throughput
  • Process automation – real time autonomous control
  • Energy efficiency – leading to cost savings and emission reductions

Eligibility requirements

  • Manufacturers with fewer than 500 employees that are incorporated and operating in Canada.
  • Manufacturers must be NRC-IRAP eligible and obtain a reference from a local NRC-IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).

Amount

Up to $15,000 in eligible costs will be reimbursed upon completion of an Industrial AI readiness evaluation and implementation plan and receipt of a final report.

Timeline

Applications will be received until funds expire. They will be reviewed and considered for funding on a first-come first-served basis.

Funding Available

Eligible businesses may receive interest-free loans of up to 15% of project costs (up to 33% forgivable) and non-repayable grants of up to $1.5 M for strategic investment or reshoring projects.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify, businesses must:

• Be located (or planning to locate) in Ontario
• Have at least 3 years of operations and financial statements
• Employ at least 10 full-time employees (or 5 in rural communities)
• Commit to creating or upskilling at least 5 jobs

If your business is planning an expansion, purchasing new equipment, adopting new technologies, or growing your workforce, now is a good time to determine whether your project may qualify for funding.